07/25/2022
🇺🇲 WW II uncovered Bobby Jones: World Champion Golfer Goes Ashore on D-Day +1 at the Age of 40 Years Old
"I don't want to be a hoopty-da officer of some camp," -Bobby Jones
According to Golf Digest: "Robert Tyre Jones Jr., 40, married, the father of two, 4-F, could have served his country during World War II from the home front. More widely known as Bobby Jones, he could have played golf, participating in exhibitions to raise money on behalf of the war effort. In May of 1942, he lobbied the Commanding Officer of his Army Reserve group to allow him to rejoin the service, while insisting that a ceremonial commission was unacceptable. A month later, the Army agreed to his request and he was commissioned a Captain in the Army Air Corps. In June 1942, he was assigned to the First Fighter Command at Mitchel Field on Long Island, New York."
"By March 1943, he was promoted to Major, and later that year, he was assigned as a Military Intelligence Officer for the 84th Fighter Wing of the Ninth Air Force; he then deployed in England."
"Jones' unit was converted to infantry, and on June 7, 1944, D-Day Plus One, he went ashore at Normandy. For two days, he and his unit were under intense enemy fire. Jones would go on to serve with his unit on the front line and eventually partake in the interrogation of German POWs. He was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel."
Bobby Jones wanted to serve his country - despite his age, he did just that. Jones' legendary golf career included wins at the U.S. Open in 1923, 1926, 1929 and 1930; the Open Championship in 1926, 1927 and 1930; the U.S. Amateur in 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928 and 1930; and the British Amateur in 1930.
After retiring from competitive golf, he founded the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, in 1933; in 1934, he co-founded the Masters Tournament.
Diagnosed with Syringomyelia in 1948, Bobby would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. This did not stop him from being a champion for professional golf as an ambassador for The Masters. He embodied the spirit of the game and would go on to be posthumously inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Tyre Jones passed away on December 18, 1971 at the age of 69 years old. He lies in rest at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta Georgia. Lest We Forget.
Disclaimer: WWII uncovered©️ is not associated with and does not endorse The Giant Killer book and/or page.
WWII uncovered©️ original description and photos sourced by Golf Digest, Department of Defense, Find a Grave Database and PGA Tour Website. (Fair Use Photos)
