He played 10 games in the American League for Chicago, in part of two seasons, before enlisting in the United States Navy right after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In November 1943, he was assigned as a fighter pilot on the USS Yorktown (CV-10), flying Grumman F6F Hellcat.

On February 1, 1945, he shot down another three Zeroes while serving on a mission at northeast of Tokyo, to give him five confirmed victories.

Jones was awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals.

During the 1947 midseason he was dealt to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Rudy York, batting a combined .237 with 19 home runs and 96 RBI that season.