BG (Ret.) Carlos K. Hayden, ’41

Major General Charles Jones served his nation and the state of Ohio in both military and civilian capacities. After graduating from Ohio State, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant and completed Field Artillery Officer training and joined the newly activated 17th Airborne Division in 1942 and followed with earning his parachutist and glider badges.

He was assigned as a battery commander in 1944, moved to the European Theater, and was engaged in the Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, and Rhineland Campaigns. His activities led to his being awarded the Bronze Star with ‘V’ device for gallantry in action during the parachute drop across the Rhine River, the Silver Star for bravery in combat in the Battle of the Bulge, and was twice awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received during each of these endeavors. In addition, he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation as part of his unit’s extraordinary heroism during the Rhine River operation.

He returned home in 1945 and earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. He reactivated his Captain’s rank by joining the Ohio Army National Guard two years after he had separated from the service. As a guardsman, he was called to participate in the Korean Conflict in 1951, where he spent thirteen months in active duty at Camp Polk, Louisiana as a battalion commander. He was promoted to Colonel in 1960 and subsequent promotions led to serving as an alternate member at large on the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army, and in 1973 to commander, Ohio Area Command, as a Major General. In 1977 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal prior to retiring in 1978.  

Major General Jones had served as a commander at the company, battalion, group, brigade, and state command levels for over 27 of his 37 years of military service.

While in the National Guard, he also rose to the position of Secretary-Treasurer with Champion Paper Company, a major employer in Hamilton, Ohio, was twice elected to the Ohio House of Representatives where he was chosen as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Members by his fellow representatives, and once to the Ohio Senate while residing in Butler County. He also started a successful law firm in 1966 that is still functioning today.

In 1982 a new National Guard Armory was built in Butler County and named in his honor. In 1992 Major General Jones was a selection to the Ohio National Guard Hall of Fame.

Major General Jones passed away in November 2011, survived by his wife of 73 years, the former Elizabeth Williams of Portsmouth, Ohio, who died seven months later. They had five children, Carolyn, Charles Robert, also an Ohio State graduate, and Richard, Mary Ann and Bruce.