Hilary P. Jones
Encyclopedia
Hilary Pollard Jones, Jr. (14 November 1863 – 1 January 1938) was an officer in the United States Navy
during the Spanish-American War
and World War I
. During the early 1920s, he served as Commander in Chief, United States Fleet
.
, Jones graduated from the Naval Academy
in 1884. He was the son of Hilary Pollard Jones, who commanded an artillery battalion in the Army of Northern Virginia
during the American Civil War
. As a young Ensign
, Jones was commended for his bravery and skill in helping to save Nipsic
from sinking during the great Samoa
n hurricane of 1889.
During the Spanish-American War Jones served in Dorothea
on patrol duty off Cuba
. In the next years he sailed in various ships of the fleet, rising to command the battleship Rhode Island
in 1912. In 1913 he commanded the Washington Navy Yard
.
for his outstanding service.
Following the war Admiral Jones had important commands at sea, culminating in 1922 in the post of Commander in Chief, United States Fleet
. In 1923 he left this duty to join the General Board.
of 1930. A prominent member of the Society of the Cincinnati
, Admiral Jones died 1 January 1938.
was named for him.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
and World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. During the early 1920s, he served as Commander in Chief, United States Fleet
United States Fleet
The United States Fleet was an organization in the United States Navy from 1922 until after World War II. The abbreviation CINCUS, pronounced "sink us", was used for Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. This title was disposed of and officially replaced by COMINCH in December 1941 . This...
.
Early life and career
Born in Hanover County, VirginiaHanover County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
, Jones graduated from the Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1884. He was the son of Hilary Pollard Jones, who commanded an artillery battalion in the Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. As a young Ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
, Jones was commended for his bravery and skill in helping to save Nipsic
USS Nipsic (1863)
USS Nipsic was a gunboat in the United States Navy. The ship was laid down on 24 December 1862 by Portsmouth Navy Yard; launched on 15 June 1863; sponsored by Miss Rebecca Scott; and commissioned on 2 September 1863, Lieutenant Commander George Bacon in command.-1863–1873:Nipsic arrived off...
from sinking during the great Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
n hurricane of 1889.
During the Spanish-American War Jones served in Dorothea
USS Dorothea (1898)
USS Dorothea, a civilian vessel that retained her original name when purchased by the Navy for use as a gunboat, was the only ship of the United States Navy to bear that name, though other ships have been named , , and ....
on patrol duty off Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. In the next years he sailed in various ships of the fleet, rising to command the battleship Rhode Island
USS Rhode Island (BB-17)
USS Rhode Island was a Virginia-class battleship of the United States Navy. She was the second ship to carry her name.Rhode Island was launched on 17 May 1904 by Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, Massachusetts, sponsored by Mrs. F. O...
in 1912. In 1913 he commanded the Washington Navy Yard
Washington Navy Yard
The Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy...
.
World War I and post-war years
During World War I he commanded patrol units and later a division of the Transport Force. He received the Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
for his outstanding service.
Following the war Admiral Jones had important commands at sea, culminating in 1922 in the post of Commander in Chief, United States Fleet
United States Fleet
The United States Fleet was an organization in the United States Navy from 1922 until after World War II. The abbreviation CINCUS, pronounced "sink us", was used for Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. This title was disposed of and officially replaced by COMINCH in December 1941 . This...
. In 1923 he left this duty to join the General Board.
Retirement
Admiral Jones retired in 1927 but served as naval advisor at the Geneva Disarmament Conference and the London Naval ConferenceLondon Naval Conference
There were three major international naval conferences in London, the first in 1908-09, the second in 1930 and the third in 1935. The latter two, together with the Washington Naval Conference in 1921-22 and the Geneva Conferences , resulted in agreements between the major powers on navy vessel...
of 1930. A prominent member of the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
, Admiral Jones died 1 January 1938.
Namesake
The destroyer USS Hilary P. JonesUSS Hilary P. Jones (DD-427)
USS Hilary P. Jones was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Admiral Hilary P. Jones....
was named for him.