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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David M. Jones | 2/2 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_M._Jones | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T12:33:46.690492+00:00 | kb-cron |
Jones began working in research and development in 1956 when he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations for the Air Proving Ground Command at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. His experience in bombardment-type aircraft and previous command staff assignments in research and development resulted in his being selected director of the B-58 Test Force, organized in February 1958 at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. The B-58 Hustler was the first operational jet bomber capable of Mach 2 supersonic flight. During this time, Jones continued to maintain his flight status in the B-58, TF-102, and T-33 aircraft; participating in design speed dashes, low-level penetrations, night, weather, formation and inflight refueling missions. He had more supersonic time testing the B-58 than any senior U.S. Air Force pilot. In September 1960, he became vice commander of the Wright Air Development Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In October 1961, he was named program manager of the GAM-87 "Skybolt" at Air Force Systems Command's Aeronautical Systems Division. When that project was cancelled, he became ASD deputy for systems management and later vice commander. In August 1964, he became deputy chief of staff for systems at Headquarters Air Force Systems Command at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, which had responsibility for all USAF research, development, and weapon system acquisition.
=== NASA === In December 1964, Jones became Deputy Assistant Administrator for Manned Space Flight with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In July 1965, he was given responsibility for development of the S-IVB Orbital Workshop and spent-stage experiment support module (SSESM) – a concept of "in-orbit" conversion of a spent S-IVB stage to a shelter. In August 1965, he took on the additional duties as of the Saturn/Apollo Applications (SAA) Acting Director. Then, in May 1967, he assumed duties as commander of the Air Force Eastern Test Range, Patrick AFB and Cape Kennedy AFS, Florida.
== Retirement and death ==
Jones retired at the rank of major general on May 31, 1973. He was one of five Doolittle Raiders who later became general officers; the others are James H. Doolittle, John A. Hilger, Everett W. Holstrom, and Richard A. Knobloch. In 2002, Jones attended the 50th reunion of the 47th Bombardment Wing at RAF Sculthorpe. He presented the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre with a photo of a B-45. Jones died on November 25, 2008, at age 94, at his home in Tucson, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his first wife Anita Maddox Jones, and survived by his wife Janna-Neen Johnson-Dingell-Cunningham-Jones, daughter (Jere Jones Yeager), two sons (David Jones and Jim Jones) and a stepdaughter (Ann-Eve Grace Dingell-Cunningham). At the time of his death, out of the eighty men who participated in the Doolittle Raid, there were ten survivors.
== Awards and decorations == Major General Jones' military decorations and awards include:
== See also ==
Jimmy Doolittle NASA Test pilot Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, 1944 film on the Doolittle Raid, starring Spencer Tracy. Jones was played by actor Scott McKay.
== Notes ==
== References == This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Air Force. "Airmen bid farewell to two Doolittle Raiders". Air Force Link. United States Air Force. December 2, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) "Biographies: Major General David M. Jones". Air Force Link. United States Air Force. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008. "Major General David M. Jones". U.S. Air Force Military Biographies. FindArticles.com. 2004. Retrieved December 2, 2008. "Obituary: Major General David M. Jones". Tucson.com. Retrieved December 2, 2008. Burnette, Bowen D. Denver and the Doolittle Raid. Tabbystone Press, 2012. ISBN 978-0-9850612-0-3. Joyce, Todd. "David M. Jones, 0-22482, Major General, Pilot Crew 3". The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
== External links == "USAFA Stalag Luft III – Majs. David M. Jones and William C. Beckham". American Personalities. United States Air Force Academy, United States Air Force. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2008. "The Real Virgil Hilts" on YouTube