George Edward Jones was born to Robert Wilson Jones (1883-1971) and Della Mae Clifton (1886-1975), both born in TN. The family resided in Blaine, Grainger Co., TN.
The 1930 census shows R. W. Jones, age 46 and Della, age 43. Six children are listed: Kathleen, Christian, Mildred, John, Edward (age 6) and Imogene.
The 1940 census gives Edward’s age as 16 and living with his parents and siblings on Lee Highway in Blaine. Edward had completed the 8th grade and was attending school in the 9th grade. This seems unusual since Edward would have been 19 if he
attended through 12th grade.
Edward registered for the draft on 30 June 1942 after he turned 18. He listed his father, R. W. Jones, as the person who would always know how to locate him. When he registered, Edward was living in Morristown, Hamblen Co., TN and working for Percy Monroe. The type work he was engaged in is not known. Note that he signed his name "Edward Jones", dropping his first name.
George enlisted in the USN on 25 Feb 1944 at Chattanooga, TN. Two days later he arrived at the Navy Training Center, Great Lakes, IL.
After basic training, Edward was transferred to Shoemaker, CA where he went aboard USS Cambria for transportation to Pearl Harbor where he would report for duty to USS Indianapolis CA-35 on 7 May 1944 as a S2c (Seaman 2nd class).
While on board Indy, as a 20 year old, Edward participated in five of the battles for which Indianapolis was awarded 10 battle stars:
Engagement #6 Mariana Operations: Capture/Occupation of Saipan and Guam; Battle of the Philippine Sea, and Capture/Occupation of Guam
#7 Capture/Occupation of Tinian Island
#8 Western Caroline Islands Operations: Capture/Occupation of Southern Palau Islands
Indianapolis returned to Mare Island, CA and Edward was granted furlough. He returned home in late Oct to visit his family in Blaire, TN.
He returned to the ship and participated in two more engagements:
#9 Iowa Jima Operation
#10 Okinawa Gunto Operation: Raids and Assaults
During the Okinawa Gunto Operation Indianapolis was attacked on 31 Mar 1945 by a Japanese kamikaze plane causing severe damage that killed 9 crew members. Damage to the keel was temporarily repaired using sand bags. Edward was one of the crew members who volunteered to go ashore at Okinawa to gather the sand. This was a heroic effort since the area was still under gunfire. Indianapolis steamed to Mare Island, Vallejo, CA, for permanent repairs.
At Mare Island, Sailors were granted leave and many headed home. Since Edward was not married he either traveled home or stayed in sailor’s barracks and enjoyed liberty at Mare Island and San Francisco with his buddies.
Edward was on board Indianapolis when she delivered top-secret cargo to Tinian Island.
He never knew that Indianapolis’ last mission helped to end WWII.
His name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously.
He was entitled to wear the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with 1 silver star. One silver star equaled 5 bronze stars that he earned in battle.
You are not forgotten, Edward.
Source Credits1930 US Census, TN, Grainger Co., Blaine Twsp.; citing family of Robert Jones, HH #14.
1940 US Census, TN, Grainger Co., Dist 3; citing family of Robert W. Jones HH #309
Morristown Gazette Mail, (TN), Thurs, May 27, 1943, p. 1; citing induction into armed services
Grainger County News, (Rutledge, TN), Wed, Nov 1, 1944; p. 1; citing visit with parents
Grainger County News, (Rutledge, TN), Wed, Oct 10, 1945, p. 1; citing George E. Jones is Reported Dead
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, (TN), Wed, Oct 10, 1945, p. 11; citing 5 E. Tennesseans Listed as Dead
Navy Department, Casualty Section, Office of Public Information (1946): Combat Connected Naval Casualties, WWII, by States; Vol. MY-WO; TN, p. 9; citing parents Mr and Mrs Robert Wilson Jones, Blaire, TN
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56973495/george_edward-jones: accessed September 2, 2025), memorial page for George Edward Jones (11 May 1924-30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56973495, citing Cedar Grove Cemetery, Grainger County, Tennessee.
USN WWII Muster Rolls, 1938-1949; Ancestry database
USN Ships, Stations and Other Naval Activities, 1939-1949; Ancestry database
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
ABBOTT, George Stanley 
FRONTINO, Vincent Fred 
AMICK, Homer Irwin