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First Name
Murphy
Middle Name
Neal
Last Name
Jones
Birthdate
Hometown
Baton Rouge, LA
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Neal Jones was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at Tulane University on May 30, 1960, and went on active duty beginning June 25, 1960. Lieutenant Jones next completed pilot training and was awarded his pilot wings at Reese AFB, Texas, followed by F-100 Super Sabre Combat Crew Training. His first assignment was as an F-100 pilot with the 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron at England AFB, Louisiana, and then as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Itazuke AB and then Yokota AB, Japan, from December 1963 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on June 29, 1966.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Major Jones was released during “Operation Homecoming” on February 12, 1973. He then attended the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia. Colonel Jones' next assignment was as an A-7 Corsair II pilot, Chief of Operations Training, and then as Commander of the 357th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, and then as Chief of the Inspection and Evaluation Group with Headquarters Tactical Training at Davis-Monthan. He then attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from July 1978 to June 1979, followed by duty with the Directorate of Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff/Plans and Operations, with Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from June 1979 until his retirement from the Air Force on December 31, 1981. Murphy Neal Jones died on January 31, 2019, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit (2)
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star (2)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release