Hilary Pollard Jones, Jr.

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Hilary Pollard Jones, Jr. was born in Hanover County, VA, on 14 November 1863. He was the son of Hilary Pollard Jones, who commanded an artillery battalion in the Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War. Jones graduated from the Naval Academy in 1884. As a young Ensign, Jones was commended for his bravery and skill in helping to save USS Nipsic from sinking during the great Samoan hurricane of 1889.

During the Spanish-American War, Jones served in USS Dorothea on patrol duty off Cuba. In the following years he sailed in various ships of the fleet, rising to command the battleship USS Rhode Island in 1912. In 1913 he commanded the Washington Navy Yard.

During World War I, he commanded patrol units and later, a division of the Transport Force. He received the Distinguished Service Medal for his outstanding service.

Following the war, Admiral Jones had important commands at sea. On 30 June 1921, he was promoted to the rank of four-star Admiral and assigned as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet. In 1923, he left this duty to join the General Board.

Admiral Jones retired in 1927 but served as Naval Advisor at the Geneva Disarmament Conference and the London Naval Conference of 1930. He was also a prominent member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Honors

The destroyer USS Hilary P. Jones was named for him.

Death and Burial

Admiral Hilary Pollard Jones, Jr. died on 1 January 1938. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, Section South, Site 2137-C.