Jake Jones (baseball)

Jones was a highly decorated World War II veteran. He played 10 games in the American League for Chicago, in part of two seasons, before enlisting in the United States Navy right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the service on June 30, 1942, becoming an aviator. In November 1943, he was assigned as a fighter pilot on the USS Yorktown (CV-10), flying Grumman F6F Hellcat.

Between November and December 1944, Jones destroyed two Japanese A6M Zero fighters and damaged another. On February 1, 1945, he shot down another three Zeroes while serving on a mission at northeast of Tokyo, to give him five confirmed victories. A day later, he destroyed other Zero and a Nakajima Ki-43. Then, on February 25 he received a half-share of a probable Ki-43.

Jones was awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals.

Following his service discharge, Jones returned to play for Chicago in 1946. During the 1947 midseason he was dealt to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Rudy York, batting a combined .237 with 19 home runs and 96 RBI that season. He hit .200 in 36 games for Boston in 1948, his last major league season, and finished his baseball career in 1949, dividing his playing time between the Texas League and American Association.

Jones died in his hometown of Epps, Louisiana at age 80.

• Baseball in Wartime

• Career statistics from Baseball Reference