Paul Montgomery Jones was born on January 10, 1910, in Cleveland, Tennessee. He was married to Helen Bickerstaff. After attending local schools, he prepared for West Point at Marion Military Academy in Alabama. At just fifteen, he joined the Tennessee National Guard, serving as both a private and a noncommissioned officer during strike duty. He entered the U.S. Military Academy on July 1, 1931, graduating on June 12, 1935. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Cavalry. His first assignment was with the 6th Cavalry at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. As Regimental Signal Officer, he helped modernize mobile communications, later commanding F Troop before being sent to Fort McPherson as an instructor at the Army’s West Point Preparatory School. In 1939, he attended the Cavalry School Regular Course, graduating in January 1940. Soon after, he received orders for the Philippines, though he was first temporarily assigned to the 5th Cavalry at Fort Clark, Texas. That summer, he took part in the Louisiana Maneuvers, serving under Brigadier General Jonathan M. Wainwright, then commanding the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

Upon arriving in the Philippines, Major Jones was assigned to the 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) at Fort Stotsenburg. In February 1941, as the regiment expanded, he was tasked with organizing and training C Troop. When Japan attacked on December 7, 1941, Jones was commanding the Provisional Squadron of the 26th Cavalry. On the first day of the war, he successfully organized an advance headquarters for the high command, a critical contribution to the strategic withdrawal into Bataan. While leading General Jonathan Wainwright on a frontline inspection, Major Jones and the general unexpectedly encountered Japanese soldiers, engaging them directly and killing several. During the skirmish, Jones was wounded, but with no doctors available, he was treated by the regimental veterinarian and soon returned to duty.

By May 1942, when the 26th Cavalry was ordered to surrender, Jones was gravely ill with malaria. His comrade, Major Jim Blanning (Class of 1931), refused to leave him and helped carry him into the Mariveles hills, allowing both men to avoid the Bataan Death March. They were eventually captured and sent to the Cabanatuan POW camp. In June 1942, Jones was transferred to the Davao prison camp, where he endured severe illness. He was later returned to Luzon in June 1944, again confined at Cabanatuan, where he recovered much of his strength. In October 1944, he was transferred from the Cabanatuan POW camp to Bilibid Prison in Manila, where he awaited transport to Japan among hundreds of other Allied prisoners. Soon after, he was placed aboard a Japanese prison ship, one of the infamous “hell ships”. During the voyage, the ship was attacked and sunk by American aircraft, unaware that it carried prisoners. Maj Jones was among those who lost their lives in that tragic incident.

His name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines. He also has a cenotaph in the Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Tusculum, Greene County, Tennessee, USA.

Silver Star Citation:
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Cavalry) Paul Montgomery Jones (ASN: 0-19893), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Headquarters Troops, 26th Cavalry Regiment )Philippine Scouts), in action against the enemy in the defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Jones, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, alumni.westpointaog.org, weremember.abmc.gov, valor.militarytimes.com