William K. Jones

William K. Jones
Lieutenant General William K. Jones
Birth name	William Kenefick Jones
Born	(1916-10-23)October 23, 1916 Joplin, Missouri
Died	April 15, 1998(1998-04-15) (aged 81) Alexandria, Virginia
Buried at	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1936 – 1972
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	1st Battalion 6th Marines
Commands held	1st Battalion 6th Marines 1st Marine Regiment The Basic School Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD Parris Island 3rd Marine Division I Marine Expeditionary Force Task Force 79, U.S. Seventh Fleet Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of Guadalcanal Battle of Tarawa Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Battle of Okinawa Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Purple Heart
Relations	James L. Jones, Sr. (brother) James L. Jones, Jr. (nephew)

William Kenefick Jones (October 23, 1916 – April 15, 1998) was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general and a highly decorated veteran of three wars, receiving the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. He was a battalion commander in World War II; a regimental commander just after the Korean War; and a division commander during the Vietnam War. LtGen Jones' last command was the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He served in the Marine Corps for 33 years, retiring from active duty in 1972.

William Kenefick Jones was born on October 23, 1916 in Joplin, Missouri. He was raised in Kansas City, Missouri where he graduated from Southwest High School in 1933. In 1936, while in college, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, attending the Platoon Leaders' Class in San Diego, California during the summers. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1937 from the University of Kansas.

Jones was commissioned a Reserve second lieutenant on January 31, 1938; was called to active duty on September 29, 1939. He completed the Reserve Officers' Course at Quantico, Virginia, in November 1939; then joined the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. He remained with the 1st Battalion for almost six years, including all of World War II. In November 1940, he was integrated into the regular Marine Corps.