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Contact Info
Home Town Battlecreek
Date of Passing Dec 18, 2016
Location of Interment Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery - Black Mountain, North Carolina
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Obituary
Wilmot Adair “Bill” Jones, age 81, passed away December 18, 2016 in the loving care of The Elizabeth House. Bill was born on 11/27/1935 in Battlecreek Michigan.
He was a Navy veteran who served during the 1950’s and 1960’s; most notably on the USS Triton submarine completing the 1st underwater circumnavigation of the world.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Jones; daughter Mary Taulbee and husband Mark; son Charles “Bud” Jones and wife Kierra; daughter Patty Horton and husband Gene; daughter Sharon Allen and husband Mckinley; sister Helen Figley; grandchildren – Christopher Taulbee, Richard Taulbee, Justin Taulbee, Kristen Ainslee, Robert Allen, Kaitlin Allen, Molly Horton, Jack Horton and 4 great-grandchildren along with his many other family and friends.
A private memorial will be held with the final burial at the North Carolina Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. Western North Carolina Mortuary Service will assist the family.
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Navy Presidential Unit Citation - 1960
Name of Award Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Devices
Gold Globe
To commemorate the first submerged circumnavigation of the world by the nuclear-powered submarine Triton during its shakedown cruise in 1960
Year Awarded 1960
Last Updated: Dec 22, 2016
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
On 10 May 1960, Secretary of the Navy William B. Franke presented the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) to Triton for Operation Sandblast, the first submerged circumnavigation of the world. Chief Torpedoman's Mate Chester Raymond Fitzjarrald, the chief of the boat, accepted the PUC on behalf of Triton's officers and crew.[94] The citation reads:
For meritorious achievement from 16 February 1960 to 10 May 1960. During this period the TRITON circumnavigated the earth submerged, generally following the route of Magellanā??s historic voyage. In addition to proving the ability of both crew and nuclear submarine to accomplish a mission which required almost three months of submergence, TRITON collected much data of scientific importance. The performance, determination and devotion to duty of the TRITONā??s crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service. All members of the crew who made this voyage are authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon with a special clasp in the form of a golden replica of the globe.[95]
Up to that time, this was only the second time that a U.S. Navy vessel had been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for a peacetime mission, with the nuclear submarine USS Nautilus (SSN-571) receiving the first peacetime PUC in recognition of Operation Sunshine, the first submerged voyage under the North Pole in 1958.[72][96][97][98] To commemorate the first submerged circumnavigation of the world, all Triton personnel who made that voyage were authorized to wear their Presidential Unit Citation ribbon with a special clasp in the form of a golden replica of the globe (pictured).[95]
