Jones led a flight of four A-1H Skyraider aircraft escorting two helicopters sent out to rescue the pilot of an F-4 Phantom downed about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Đồng Hới.

Arriving over the area, he made several low passes across a valley to find the pilot and pinpoint enemy gun positions.

Despite his severe burns, he landed his damaged aircraft safely, and insisted on passing on the vital information before receiving medical treatment.

[2] Colonel William Jones' official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

On that day, as the on-scene commander in the attempted rescue of a downed U.S. pilot, Col. William Jones' aircraft was repeatedly hit by heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire.

On one of his low passes, Col. William Jones felt an explosion beneath his aircraft and his cockpit rapidly filled with smoke.

Completely disregarding his injuries, he elected to fly his crippled aircraft back to his base and pass on essential information for the rescue rather than bail out.

Col. William Jones successfully landed his heavily damaged aircraft and passed the information to a debriefing officer while on the operating table.