"It's Been a Hell of a Ride" - World War II Coast Guard Veteran Receives Purple Heart
(Story By Petty Officer Kip Wadlow)
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - People in Selma, N.C., wouldn't find anything out of the ordinary about a diminutive, elderly gentleman with a gruff voice taking his daily exercise walk along the side of the road. However, that man, Samuel R. Jones, is anything but ordinary.
Serving His Country
An 84-year-old Coast Guard veteran, Jones served in World War II as a Fireman 2nd Class aboard the Coast Guard Cutter HICKORY (WAGL/WLI 219), and the 492-foot BAYFIELD-class attack transports USS CAMBRIA (APA-36) and USS CAVALIER (APA-37), manned by a Coast Guard crew during the war.
AT SEA - Jones (right) and Ira Milton, also a native of N.C., of the 11th Army Airborne Division pose beside a .50-caliber machine gun onboard the USS CAVALIER en route to the Philippines. (Photo provided by Samuel R. Jones)
While serving on CAVALIER, Jones participated in the Marianas and Philippines campaigns of the Pacific Theatre and took part in the amphibious operations to capture Saipan, Tinian, Leyte, Luzon and Northern Luzon. CAVALIER transported hundreds of American Marines, soldiers and equipment to the invasion beaches.
On the morning of Jan. 30, 1945, Jones and 49 of his shipmates were wounded and one killed when the Japanese mini-submarine RO-115 torpedoed the CAVALIER's port side as it transited Manila Bay in the Philippines.
Jones had just been relieved from his watch in the engine room and had climbed to the ship's forecastle to sleep. Within minutes the torpedo struck the ship.
"I remember waking up in mid air and the next thing I knew I was being treated in sickbay," said Jones.
The torpedo caused significant damage to the CAVALIER, knocking out the ship's engines and steering systems. The ship was towed to the shipyards in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for repairs.
The war ended shortly thereafter and Jones returned to his native North Carolina, where he settled down, married and moved on with his life. During his cross-country journey from California, Jones's military records were lost.
Missing Records Found after 63-Years
In early 2008 Jones contacted Veteran's Affairs and his local and state representatives to retrieve his missing military records. It was only then that he and the Coast Guard became aware of his eligibility to receive the Purple Heart. Plans were soon in place to present Jones with the award during a ceremony onboard the Coast Guard Cutter DILIGENCE, in Wilmington, N.C..
On Thursday, March 13, 2008, nearly 63-years after he retired from the Coast Guard, Fireman 2nd Class Samuel Jones was awarded his Purple Heart.
"While we can recount the history of the Pacific War, veterans such as Mr. Jones lived through it and, in the case of Cavalier's torpedo attack, were lucky to have survived it. The Purple Heart is a medal that is not lightly bestowed and is awarded to members of the armed forces who have been wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States," said Rear Adm. Fred M. Rosa, Commander Fifth Coast Guard District and presiding official of the awards ceremony.
"Thank you so very much, on behalf of a grateful nation Mr. Jones, for patriotism and your heroism. We stand on your shoulders and in your debt as we extend the legacy of the world's finest Coast Guard," said Rosa, as he presented Jones with the Purple Heart.
Having received the award, Jones' words reflected his humble soft spoken nature.
"I am extremely grateful to have this award, to receive this Purple Heart for [my service aboard] the CAVALIER. It's been a hell of a ride," said Jones.
