George Edward Jones was the son of Robert Wilson Jones and Della Mae Clifton.
He served on the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines.
USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35)
Secret mission:
After major repairs and an overhaul, the Indianapolis received orders to undertake a top-secret mission of the utmost significance to national security: to proceed to Tinian island carrying enriched uranium (about half of the world’s supply of uranium-235 at the time) and other parts required for the assembly of the atomic bomb codenamed “Little Boy”, which would be dropped on Hiroshima a few weeks later.
The Indianapolis departed San Francisco’s Hunters Point Naval Shipyard on 16 July 1945, within hours of the Trinity test. She set a speed record of 74+1⁄2 hours from San Francisco to Pearl Harbor, an average speed of 29 kn (54 km/h; 33 mph). Arriving at Pearl Harbor on 19 July, she raced on unaccompanied, delivering the atomic bomb components to Tinian on 26 July.
The Indianapolis was then sent to Guam, where a number of the crew who had completed their tours of duty were relieved by other sailors. Leaving Guam on 28 July, she began sailing toward Leyte, where her crew was to receive training before continuing on to Okinawa to join Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf’s Task Force 95.
The Sinking and the Indianapolis’s intended route from Guam to the Philippines:
At 00:15 on 30 July, the Indianapolis was struck on her starboard side by two Type 95 torpedoes, one in the bow and one amidships, from the Japanese submarine I-58, captained by Commander Mochitsura Hashimoto, who initially thought he had spotted the New Mexico-class battleship Idaho. The explosions caused massive damage. The Indianapolis took on a heavy list (the ship had had a great deal of armament and gun-firing directors added as the war went on, and was therefore top-heavy) and settled by the bow. Twelve minutes later, she rolled completely over, then her stern rose into the air and she sank. Some 300 of the 1,195 crewmen aboard went down with the ship. With few lifeboats and many without life jackets, the remainder of the crew was set adrift.
The Knoxville Journal, October 29, 1944:
Seaman Second Class George Edward Jones, who has been decorated for service in Saipan, Guam and Paula, is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Jones of Blaine.
Photo submitted by Hudson Louie.
- Rank: Seaman Second Class
- Date of birth: 11 May 1924
- Date of death: 30 July 1945
- County: Grainger
- Hometown: Blaine
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar IX, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor George E. Jones
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