Thomas L. Jones
Private, U.S. Army
12133551
Company A
15th Infantry Regiment
3rd Infantry Division
Born: October 13, 1922
Died: October 3, 1943
Near Cancello, Italy
Buried: Plot C2027
Beverly National Cemetery
Beverly, New Jersey
Awards: Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation
Introduction
Private Thomas L. Jones
Private Thomas L. Jones, of 50 Beechwood Avenue, Oaklyn, New Jersey, was born on October 13, 1922, to Mr. and Mrs. William O. Jones. His father had fought in World War I. He had graduated from Oaklyn Junior High School, and enrolled in Collingswood High School, but never attended classes. On October 29, 1942, he enlisted in the Army at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He underwent basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia.
Private Jones shipped out in March of 1943, and took part in the battles for Tunis and Ferryville in North Africa. Serving with the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Thomas Jones was one of the first to land in the Sicily invasion, landing at Licata, and advanced with his unit to Palermo, Sicily. At Palermo, he contracted malaria, and was flown back to Africa for treatment. He returned to active duty after six weeks. On September 18, 1943, his unit was sent to Southern Italy. He was killed in action while acting as a scout, by machine gun fire, near Cancello, Italy, on October 3rd, 1943.
Private Jones was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart on November 29, 1943. His family received letters from General George C. Marshall, General Leslie McNair, his company commander Captain Winschbul, and his platoon leader First Lieutenant Kranich. After the war his body was returned to the United States, and he was buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey, on March 10, 1949.
Thomas Jones was survived by his parents; brothers James, Edward, John, and William O. Jr.; and sisters Anna, Helen, Agnes, and Julia Jones.
Photos
Thomas L. Jones
Oaklyn Man Slain on African Front
Camden Courier-Post —
Pfc. T. L. Jones Has Two Brothers in Service; Sister Was WAC
Pfc. Thomas L. Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. William O. Jones, of 50 East Beechwood avenue, Oaklyn, was reported killed in action on Oct. 3 in the North African war area. A letter from the adjutant general’s office notified his parents of his death in the service of his country.
Private Jones was attached to an infantry regiment and saw service throughout the Tunisian and Sicilian campaigns. He enlisted in October, 1942, and trained at Camp Wheeler, Ga., going overseas last March.
A brother, James J., is a member of the Army amphibious forces and is stationed in Virginia. Another brother, Edward J., is with an Army engineers detachment in North Carolina. Sgt. Anna G. Jones, sister of the dead hero, has recently been discharged from the WAC after serving six months at Daytona Beach, Fla.
The father is a veteran of World War I.
Pfc. T. L. Jones Funeral To Be Held Thursday
Camden Courier-Post —
Military rites for Pfc. Thomas L. Jones, 50 East Beechwood avenue, Oaklyn, will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in U.S. National cemetery, Beverly. Private Jones was killed in action in November, 1944, at Cancello, Italy, at the age of 20, while serving with Co. A, 15th Infantry, Third Division. He had enlisted Oct. 29, 1943, and was sent overseas the following April. He was in battle in North Africa, Sicily and Salerno, and was awarded the Presidential Citation and Purple Heart posthumously. Surviving are his parents, William O. and Eden G.; four brothers, James J., Edward J. and John, all at home, and William O. Jr., Fairview; and four sisters, Anna G., Helen L., Agnes M. and Julia, all at home.
Beverly National Cemetery
Grave of Private Thomas L. Jones — Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey