Citation to accompany Order of the Tamar Tiger for Warrant Officer First Class (WOFC) David Jeremiah Jones
On May 9th of 3012 on Loongana WOFC Jones was assigned to Hsien’s Hotheads and participated in recovery actions in support of a Hsien’s reserve light ‘Mech Company.
The light ‘Mech Company was dropped into a minefield where they suffered grievous and catastrophic damage to their leg actuators and were unable to move. The Air Lift Company was requested to evacuate the company.
On the first pass above the minefield WOFC Jones’s Karnov came under small arms fire from an infantry company of local defenders. He sustained a wound to his left arm and shoulder. In spite of his injuries he was able to successfully assist in the recovery operation and return with a ‘Mech to the staging point.
He received first aid from a field medic and was deemed unfit to continue the mission, but because there were no other qualified pilots he insisted on returning, and not allowing Pilot in Command Senior Warrant Officer (SWO) Dahls fly without a co-pilot.
During the second pass above the minefield the local defenders had organized themselves and were now putting up significantly greater resistance to the recovery operation. The local defenders downed one of Karnovs and SWO Dahls was killed as he and WOFC Jones recovered another Mech. WOFC Jones was struck again by small arms fire, in the right leg.
WOFC Jones was able to return again to the unit staging area with an additional recovered ‘Mech. WOFC Jones injuries required a tourniquet be placed on his leg. He was once more told he was unfit to fly, and warned that if he did not receive immediate medical attention there would likely be lasting consequences to his injury. At great personal risk and knowing the threat he still choose to risk his life and continued his support of the recovery operation.
As WOFC Jones went in for a third pass his Karnov suffered significant damage when the local defenders, now entrenched and armed with man portal short range missile (SRM) launchers, began a more aggressive and persistent defense of the minefield. In spite of his injuries and the damage to his aircraft WOFC Jones was able to once more return a ‘Mech to the staging area. This time he refused to land telling the Operation Center he would not give them an opportunity to drag him from the cockpit, he also admitted he doubted his Karnov could handle the stress of landing or taking off without significant repairs.
As he began to fly toward the minefield his Commander ordered him to return immediately. His last words to the operation center were, “I’ll return when my brothers are safe.” Due to the damage to his aircraft he trailed behind the other two Karnovs. From this position he saw the smoke from an SRM launcher aimed at one of the Karnovs hovering to sling a mech. He flew his Karnov into path of the SRM thereby shielding his brothers and ensuring the final recovery of the last two ‘Mechs.
Warrant Officer First Class David Jeremiah Jones actions reflect great credit upon himself, the Hsien Hotheads, and the Lyran Commonwealth. His acts of valor, selfless dedication, and personal sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds ensured the recovery all the ‘Mechs of the reserve company, and stand as a testament to the dedication, espirt de corps, and fidelity of Hsien Hotheads supply section.
(Writers note: The Hsien’s Hotheads 3012 Raid of Loongana is described in the Original Edition Technical Readout 3026. It can be found on page 26 in the Battle History section for the Karnov UR Transport)