Quilt of Valor Recipient: Leamon Isham Jones

Submitted and Written By Karen Vanover Founded in 2003, by Catherine Roberts, the volunteers of the Quilts of Valor Foundation have made and awarded almost 321,000 quilts to service members in the United States. “The Mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.” On October 1st, 2022 at Pine Knot United Baptist Church, Leamon I. Jones was honored in front of family, church family, and friends with a Quilt of Valor. He was blessed to have Mrs. Debbie Jo Peterson and her mother, Mrs. Virginia (Ginny) Williams as the special people to present his quilt. These two ladies also had a hand in making Leamon’s quilt. Leamon was born January 17th, 1924 to Leo and Viola (Daugherty) Jones. He entered the United States Army Air Corps April 3rd, 1943. The Air Corps has since been abolished and became known as the U.S. Dept. of the Air Force. In his years of service, Leamon was stationed in Fort Thomas, KY., Salt Lake City, Utah, Newport News, VA., Benghazi, North Africa, Naples, Italy, Foggia, Italy, Washington, DC, and Louisville, KY. During these stations, Leamon served on guard duty, as a Map Runner for photo intelligence, and eventually became the Baker of the People for the 5th Bomb Wing Headquarters in Foggia, Italy. It was on his deployment to North Africa that the fleet of ships he was traveling with was bombarded by an hours long Air Raid by German Forces. It was during this raid that Leamon permanently lost the majority of hearing in both ears. He said one of the worst memories he carries with him was being able to see hundreds of soldier’s heads bobbing up in the water and not being able to do anything to help them. He never found out how many were rescued. Upon his arrival stateside on November 2nd, 1945, Leamon re-enlisted for two more years. While on a short leave during his second enlistment, he married Edith Pauline King on January 12th, 1946. She accompanied him everywhere he was stationed from that time forward until he received an honorable discharge on January 29th, 1947. He received the Naples, Foggia, Rome Aero Campaign Offensive over Europe ribbon, Three Bronze Stars, a Medal of Good Conduct, and The Certificate of Merit in support of Combat Operations Fifteenth Air Force/Fifth Bomb Wing. Leamon and Edith made their home in Pine Knot, KY. While he was a farmer in his time prior to the service, Leamon supported his growing family by working in a Stave Mill, at Tibbals Flooring Company, the KY Highway Dept., Stearns Wholesale, night shift at Jellico Grocery, and Lays Furniture in Stearns, KY, from where he retired, twice. The last time being in 1988. After they both retired, Leamon and Edith held part-time jobs while helping raise their grandchildren. Together, they had five children; Leamon Jr, Larry, Gary, Vicki, and Colleen. Eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Two sons served in the Armed Forces; Leamon Jr. in The Korean War and Larry in Vietnam. One great-grandson served in the Navy. They were married 69 years at the time of Edith’s death in June, 2015. Leamon is a remarkable 98 year old man. A man with high moral character and amazingly strong faith in God. He means so much to so many and we are blessed to have him in our lives. These days, Leamon spends his time going to church, raising a garden, and sitting on the porch with his dog, Tiny. Leamon and his family would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to be with all of us on this special day. We would also like to say a very special thank you to Debbie Jo Peterson, Ginny Williams and everyone at the Quilt of Valor Foundation. This was truly a memorable day for Papaw (Leamon).