The Armory was named after Hamilton’s Charles H. Jones in 1982. His son Bruce Jones, who is the fiscal officer in West Chester Twp., said his father, who died in 2011 at age 92, has a storied career in the military as well as a top-shelf record of serving in public office.
Charles Jones served in the U.S. Army in Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge. He also completed more than a year of active duty 1950-51 in the Korean Conflict.
“He received the Silver Star and Purple Heart for actions near Flamierge, Belgium on January 7 1945 and the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for actions near Wesel, Germany in March 24, 1945,” Bruce Jones said.
His military decorations and awards also included: Silver Star, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass, Presidential Unit Citation and The Distinguished Service medal.
Charles Jones served in political office — twice elected state representative of Butler County from 1957 to 1962. He served four counties as an Ohio Senator from 1963 through 1966. He also had the rare honor of having an armory named for him while he was still living - something that is rarely done.
“That’s a fact,” Bruce Jones said recalling the honor that occurred in 1982. “Dad was also in a law partnership with a firm that eventually became Baden, Jones, Scheper and Crehan. He also worked for many years with the Champion Paper Company.”
State Sen. Bill Coley, R-Liberty Twp., sits on the Controlling Board, and he was part of the vote that recently resulted in funding for the armory. He called the armory a vital asset to the region.
“The Hamilton Armory is a vital military asset for our region, and I was pleased to support this funding which will provide much needed improvements to its facility,” Coley said. “Furthermore, I am proud of our efforts to support both our National Guard installations as well as creating new opportunities for our brave men and women in uniform.”
Bruce Jones said he believes that many look at his father’s service as a reason to support the armory and as an example of how a person should serve their country.
“I remember when he retired from the National Guard and I was about 21-years-old and his men said they respected him because he put their lives first and foremost,” he said.
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