Colonel (Ret) Raymond Geyer Jones, WW II and Vietnam War hero, died on September 28, 2010 from complications of dementia and pneumonia. He was 93 years old. Of his thirty plus year military career, he served over seven years in combat operations. In WW II his units provided the artillery support to General Patton's armor divisions. He fought in North Africa, the invasion of Sicily, D Day plus two, the fighting in Northern France, the Battle of the Bulge, among others. He also served three combat tours in Vietnam where he was one of the initial developers of Army aviation to support combat operations. From WW II he was awarded a Silver Star, An Oak Leaf Cluster to the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. In Vietnam he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters for flying in combat operations from 1963-67 and the Bronze Star, second Oak leaf Cluster. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Presidential Medal as Commanding Officer of the 12th Aviation Group 1965-66. He also received the Army Commendation Medal for the integration of Army Aviation into combat field operations and the Legion of Merit for service in combat operations in Vietnam from 1963-67. Col Jones is survived by his wife of 65 years, Raymonde Veber Jones, an international tennis star, two sons and a daughter (Raymond Jones of Charlotte, NC, Philippe Jones of Vienna, VA and Maryse Waddell of Jacksonville, FL), seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 13th at the Fort Meyer's Chapel, followed by interment in Arlington National Cemetery. A Reception will immediately follow at The Army Navy Country Club in Arlington VA. Services under the care and direction of Quinn-Shalz, a Family Funeral Home.
Florida Times Union, Jan 9 2011