Band of Brothers Wiki
Register
Advertisement


1st Lieutenant Henry Sweet "Hank" Jones jr. was an officer who served in the 101st Airborne during WWII

Early Life[]

Jones was born in Buffalo, New York on the 27th April 1924 to Helen Susan and Henry Sweet Jones sr. He had no siblings.

Biography[]

A graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point) Class of 6 June 1944, Jones first arrived at Easy after the Battle of the Bulge at Haguenau, France. He was a replacement leader for Second Platoon. He was quickly dismissed by the other troopers simply for being inexperienced, so far as Captain Winters not allowing him on the patrol despite his desire to go, until Winters realized he needed an officer on the patrol due to regulations. This lead Jones to form a quick - yet respect only - bond with Private Webster, who was also being dismissed by the troopers for not being at Bastogne the previous year due to being wounded in the Netherlands.

In the Band of Brothers miniseries, Lt. Jones conducted the 'Last Patrol' with 14 other paratroopers from the 101st. However, in reality, Jones did not take part in the patrol, nor did Webster.

While on the patrol, Jones spent much of the time at the back as an observer, with a few others behind cover. As they retreated with prisoners, he blew the whistle to signal the Easy Company machine gunners on the other side to lay down covering fire. Once back, he and Webster were left in charge of the men to maintain order and calm the wounded Private Jackson.

After successfully carrying out the patrol, Jones is promoted to 1st Lieutenant and sent up to the regiment as a staff officer.

After the war, Jones was not discharged and remained in Germany where he was promoted to the rank of captain. He never returned to the United States. He died after an operation following an automobile accident in Berlin while stationed there on 21st July, 1947.

He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Advertisement