Covely Jones was born 19 September 1922. He was the son of John Marion Jones and Barbara Bertha Bicknell. Husband of Thelma Robertson.
Died 5 November 1943
Memorialized at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England
Aircraft B-17F with serial number 42-31030 was on a bombing mission. Shortly after take-off the plane was seen apparently out of control in a spin and crashed 3 or 4 miles off the English coast near Aldeburgh, England.
Crew members
Pilot, 2nd Lt Robert T. Hoyt
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt George A. Nunan
Navigator, 2nd Lt Timothy J. Lyons
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Rudolph C. Nelson
Radio Operator, T/Sgt Jack D. Miller
Top Turret Gunner, T/Sgt Leroy L. Portier
Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt David M. Randle
Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Leon A. Kegresse
Right Waist Gunner, S/Sgt Elmer L. McClelland
Left Waist Gunner, S/Sgt Covely Jones
The Ledger-Star, May 13, 1944
“For military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death November 5, 1943,” Staff Sergt. Covely Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Jones, of Oakdale, Tenn., has been awarded posthumously, a Citation of Honor from the Army Air Force and the Purple Heart. The awards were presented to his wife, the former Thelma Robertson, o East Princess Anne Road, Norfolk, this week. Sergeant Jones was employed by the Virginian Railway Company before entering the Army Air Force in September, 1942, and lived at 227 Forrest avenue, Glenwood Park. He was a top turret gunner on the “Shy-Ann” A B-17 Flying Fortress. On November 5, the “Shy-Ann” was on e of a formation of heavy bombers on a mission over Germany. While returning over the English Channel to its base after completing its mission, the “Shy-Ann” was seen to suddenly leave the formation and spin into the after, hitting nose first. Member of other plane crews reported that apparently no chutes left the ship. A rescue party was sent to the scene immediately and patrolled for a number of hours but no survivors were found. The next of kin were notified on March 9 that Staff Sergeant Jones had been killed in action.
Crewpicture from the American Air museum in Britain
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 19 September 1922
- Date of death: 5 November 1943
- County: Morgan
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 571st Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVI, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Covely Jones
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