Base renames street, honors retired general

  • Published
  • By 319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
  • 319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  

Leaders from the 319th Reconnaissance Wing held a renaming ceremony Sept. 12, 2022, formally changing the name of J Street to Jones Street here.

The name was changed to honor retired Maj. Gen. David M. Jones, a former pilot and general officer who served with the U.S. Army Air Forces and later the U.S. Air Force.

Jones volunteered for the Doolittle Project during World War II, and this mission in April 1942 was dramatized in the film “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo."

During the training phase of the project, Jones flew initial evaluation flights on the specially-equipped B-25 Mitchell aircraft. After the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Japan, Jones bailed out over China, evading Japanese capture through the assistance of Chinese nationalists. Jones rejoined American forces in India, where he flew with the 22nd Bombardment Squadron for three months. Jones received a Distinguished Flying Cross, America’s highest award for extraordinary aerial achievement, for his participation in the Doolittle Project and Raid.

In September 1942, Jones was assigned as a squadron commander in the newly formed 319th Bombardment Group. His experience with the Doolittle project and belief in low-level bombing made him a candidate to develop new low-level bombing tactics and techniques. 

On Dec. 4, 1942, Jones was shot down in his B-26 Marauder over Bizerte, North Africa. Captured, Jones spent 2 ½ years as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III in Lower Silesia, Germany. In April 1945, Jones was commended by his fellow prisoners for his leadership during confinement. Jones’ exploits working with the escape committee at Stalag Luft III inspired Steve McQueen’s character in “The Great Escape.”

In 1956, Jones was assigned to Air Proving Ground Command – later named the Air Research and Development Command – at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He was selected to be the director of the B-58 Test Force at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, due to his extensive experience flying American bomber aircraft and research and development assignments.

While serving as the director, Jones maintained flight status in the B-58 Hustler, TF-102 Delta Dagger and T-33 Shooting Star aircraft. By 1960, Jones had flown more supersonic time testing the B-58 than any other senior U.S. Air Force pilot.

In August 1964, Jones was named deputy chief of staff for systems at Headquarters Air Force Systems Command on Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, and in December that year, Jones became the deputy associate for manned space flight with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

In May 1967, Jones assumed duties as commander of the Air Force Eastern Test Range at Cape Kennedy, Fla., and retired from service in 1973.

In recognition of his storied career and many accomplishments, the 319th Reconnaissance Wing is honored to pay respect to this American hero and his legacy.