Thomas Leo Jones
- Being a Marine Reserve, Leo Jones, Jr., has been called to Parris Island. He left from Chicago October 30th. Correspondence from Lowell friends will reach Leo if addressed Pvt. Thomas L. Jones 660432, Pit.232 (F.Co.), 2nd Recruit Fr. Bn., M.C.R.D. Parris Island, South Carolina.
The following April 19, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 6:
- Mr. and Mrs. Leo Jones were very pleasantly surprised Wednesday evening when they received a phone call from Oceanside, Calif. Their son, Pfc. Thomas Leo Jones, who was in marine training at Camp Pendleton, called before leaving with his company for overseas.
This September 27, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found page 1, columns 5-6:
KOREAN "POLICE ACTION" CLAIMS LOWELL BOY
Leo Jones, Jr. Is Killed In Action September 19
Pfc. Thomas Leo Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Jones of R.R.2, Lowell, was killed in action September 19th, is the heartbreaking message received at 3 p.m. Monday from the War Department by the parents. A letter giving more complete details will follow.Thomas Leo, the first Lowell casualty in the Korean conflict, was born in Lowell on July 28, 1929, the son of James Leo and Esther Loretta Jones. He attended Lowell grade and high schools.
In 1948 he joined the Civilian Marine Reserves for a four year period, taking his training one evening each week at the Armory in Calumet City in addition to two weeks training at Camp Lejune and one week in West Virginia.
Worked As Metalurgist
He was employed as a metalurgist in the Gary plant of Carnegie-Illinois Steel Co. when he was called to report for active duty on Oct. 30, 1950. He completed boot training at Parris Island in January and enjoyed 11 days at home (a delay enroute) after which he went to Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was sent overseas in April and after spending two days in Japan, was transported to Korea where he had been in the front lines since May 6.
Leo's four years of service were nearing completion and he eagerly looked forward to being discharged and spending Christmas at home.
His death renders deepest sorrow to his parents, his brothers, Charles Martin of Cedar Lake, Robert Eugene, at home, and his sisters, Betty Jean and Kathryn, also at home, as well as the entire community.
This October 4, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:
Letter Tells of Death of Leo Jones, Jr. in Korea
News of interest concerning Leo Jones, Jr., killed on the Korean battlefront Sept. 19th, comes to his parents and friends via the letter which follows:-
Somewhere in North Korea
September 21, 1951
My Dear Mrs. Jones:
By now I am certain that you have received an official notification of the death of your son, Thomas. Such telegrams always leave much to be desired, for the administrative head at Headquarters Marine Corps does not permit inclusion of the attendant circumstances. Therefore I have taken the liberty of writing in an effort to enlighten you as to how and when death came to your son.
Permit me to introduce myself. I am Lt. Quigley. I was your son's platoon leader from 2 July until the time of his death on 19 September.
Mature and understanding person that you are, I am certain you will want to know the facts. Therefore I shall be brief and direct.
'C' Company was moving up a ridgeline toward newly assigned defensive positions when it came under enemy (North Korean) artillery fire. Your son was hit in the head by a shell fragment from the first round and was killed instantly.
I am certain that even though you realized that death was an ever present possibility, the actual news itself was indeed a shock. However, I hope you find consolation in the fact that your son experienced no pain. It was all over in a flash. Fortunately there was a Catholic priest nearby at the time your son was killed. He came immediately and prayed over your son's body.
The tactical situation being what it was, the company had to move on, but personnel were assigned to remove his remains to the graves registration collection point. His personal effects were left with his body and should be forwarded to you through official channels. His remains will be interned at the United Nations cemetery in Pusan, Korea, and I am certain you will receive further correspondence in this regard from Headquarters Marine Corps.
In closing, Mrs. Jones, on behalf of the men who served with your son and myself, may I offer our sympathy in this hour of bereavement. You son's death is a distinct loss to his comrades who have fought side by side with him in Korea. It was an honor and a privilege to serve with him.
If I can be of any help to you, Mrs. Jones, please do not hesitate to call on me.
Yours truly,
John E. Quigley, 1st Lt.
U.S. Marine Corps.
The following December 20, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 4:
Son of Leo Joneses Returned Home from Korea for Reburial
Mr. and Mrs. J. Leo Jones of R.R.2 have received word that their son, Pfc. Thomas Leo Jones, who was killed on the Korean battlefront September 19th, while serving with Company "C" of the Marine Corps, has been returned to the United States aboard the Loma Victory along with 509 other Americans who lost their lives in Korea. His body will be escorted to Lowell in the near future and Mr. and Mrs. Jones will announce funeral arrangements.A portion of this January 17, 1952, Lowell Tribune article can be found in the Local History Clipping Files at the Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 3, page 19). The whole article (seen here) can be found on page 1, column 4 of the paper:
Military Services to Honor Pfc. Leo Jones Here Sunday Afternoon
A military memorial service honoring Lowell's valient Marine Pfc. Leo Jones, who made the supreme sacrifice in Korea, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Jan. 20, at the Weaver Funeral Home with Rev. W.H. Eckroth, pastor of the Highland Christian Church, officiating.Pfc. Jones, automatic rifleman with C Company, the First Battalion of the First Di., U.S. Marine Corps, was killed by shrapnel of enemy artillery shell fire at Nojonp-Yong area of east central Korea, on Sept. 19, 1951.
Thomas Leo, the first Lowell casualty in the Korean conflict, was born in Lowell on July 28, 1929, the son of James Leo and Esther Loretta Jones. He attended Lowell grade and high schools.
In 1948, he joined the Civilian Marine Reserves for a four-year period taking his training one evening each week at the Armory in Calumet City in addition to two weeks training at Camp Lejeune and one week in West Virginia.
Worked As Metallurgist
He was employed as a metallurgist in the Gary plant of Carnegie-Illinois Steel Co. when he was called to report for active duty on October 30, 1950. He completed boot training at Parris Island, in January, and enjoyed 11 days at home (a delay enroute) after which he went to Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was sent overseas in April and after spending two days in Japan, was transported to Korea where he had been in the front lines since May 6.
Leo's four years of service were nearing completion and he and his family were eagerly looking forward to his discharge when the heartbreaking news of his death was received by his parents on the afternoon of September 24.
Following his fall on the battlefield he was temporarily interred at Tanggok National cemetery. His remains will arrive, with military escort, via train, at 2:06 this afternoon (Thursday).
Graveside rites will be held at the Lowell cemetery where interment will be made.
The community is in deepest sorrow with his parents, his brothers, Charles M. of R.R.2, Robert Eugene at home, and his sister, Betty Jean and Kathryn, also at home; and his grandparents, the Martin Joneses and the Dan Strattons.
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