JONES, F/L Frank Everett (J15327) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.249 Squadron - Award effective 19 September 1942 as per London Gazette dated 13 October 1942 and AFRO 1690/42 dated 23 October 1942. Born in Abbotsford or Cloverdale, British Columbia, 6 September 1916. Home in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Enlisted in Vancouver, 16 October 1940. To No.1 ITS, 28 January 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 4 March 1941; posted next day to No.4 EFTS; graduated 4 May 1941 and posted next day to No.6 SFTS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 27 July 1941. To ?Y? Depot, 29 July 1941. To RAF overseas, 23 August 1941. Disembarked in Britain, 2 September 1941. To No.53 OTU, 16 September 1941. To No.72 Squadron, 4 November 1941; promoted Flight Sergeant, 27 January 1942. Commissioned 13 April 1942. Left No.72 Squadron,11 May 1942; sent via HMS Eagle to Malta, serving with No.249 Squadron, 3 June to 27 October 1942 (promoted Flying Officer, 13 October 1942). Returned to Canada, 20 December 1942. Served at No.1 OTU, 25 March 1943 to 21 September 1944 (promoted Flight Lieutenant, 23 October 1943). Embarked from Canada, 4 October 1944. On staff of Overseas Headquarters, 12 October 1944. Repatriated to Canada, 20 September 1945. Released 27 November 1945. In all he flew 152 sorties (155.25 operational hours including 85 hours in Malta). Was shot down once, force-landed twice, and several times shot up. Photo is PL-25034. Chris Shores, in Aces High (2nd edition) lists his victories as follows: 27 March 1942, one FW.190 damaged; 6 June 1942, one Ju.88 destroyed (Spitfire BR246 coded C-40, shared with another pilot) plus one Re.2001 destroyed (same airplane); 15 June 1942, one Ju.88 destroyed (Spitfire BR119); 9 July 1942, one Bf.109 damaged (aircraft unknown); 11 July 1942, one Bf.109 destroyed plus one Bf.109 damaged (aircraft unknown); 8 August 1942, one Bf.109 destroyed (BP869 coded \"E\"); 13 August 1942, one Ju.88 destroyed (EP448 coded \"F\"). See also Chris Shores, Malta: The Spitfire Year. Flight Lieutenant Jones is a vigorous fighter whose ceaselessness in face of odds has served a praiseworthy example. On one occasion in June 1942, during a convoy escort when his formation attacked a large enemy force, Flight Lieutenant Jones destroyed a Junkers 88. On another occasion he led his section in an attack against twelve enemy planes heavily escorted by fighters. Diving down amongst the enemy formation, he shot down a Messerschmitt 109. Although he was attacked from all sides by many fighters, he skilfully frustrated them and, in spite of damage sustained to his aircraft, he succeeded in leading his section safely to base.