| COL Ronald Jones evacuated patients from the battlefield in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. During his first tour in Vietnam, he evacuated a number of casualties in the rear seat of his TO-1D aircraft. During his second tour in Vietnam, as the commander of both the 50th Med. Det. and the 326th Med. Co. (AA), his unit evacuated more than 6500 patients, including 2233 hoist missions. He personally flew 1400 combat hours in support of U.S. and Allied forces. He flew numerous high-risk missions, for which he was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star w/V device, 31 Air Medals, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/silver star. The units he commanded received several unit citations. His later assignments as a healthcare administrator each resulted in award of the Legion of Merit for outstanding service. He also commanded the BAMC heliport and the 47th Field Hospital. Ron Jones was inducted into the Field Artillery Order of Saint Barbara and the Army Medical Department Order of Military Medical Merit. His career of dedication to providing outstanding leadership and service to others was exemplary. Ron Jones was inducted into the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame on 12 April 2014. |