William Kenefick Jones (October 23, 1916 – April 15, 1998) was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general and a highly decorated veteran of three wars, receiving the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.

In 1936, while in college, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, attending the Platoon Leaders' Class in San Diego, California, during the summers.

Jones was commissioned a Reserve second lieutenant on January 31, 1938; was called to active duty on September 29, 1939.

[1] During the Battle of Tarawa, the 1/6 under the then-Major Jones, "engaged more of the enemy in hand-to-hand combat on Betio than any other unit".

At the reef line, they transferred to the rubber boats and began a 1,000-yard paddle to Green Beach.

[3] He earned a Silver Star and a field promotion to lieutenant colonel for his "gallantry in action" in November 1943 at Tarawa.

His citation reads in part: He fought with valor in Battle of Saipan, for which he received the Navy Cross.

Jones returned to the States in July 1945 and was assigned to head the Tactics and Techniques Section, of The Basic School.

He then served briefly in Washington, D.C. During this period, after the war, Jones authored, under the pseudonym "Base Plate McGurk", a series of articles providing advice to young officers.

From August 1950 until February 1952, Jones served as head of the Operations Subsection in the G-3 Section, Division of Plans and Policies, Headquarters Marine Corps.

In September 1953, Jones moved to Korea to serve as assistant chief of staff, G-3, 1st Marine Division.

From August 1956 to July 1958, Jones was commanding officer of The Basic School, also serving as a member of the Fleet Marine Force Organization and Composition Board from June 1956 to January 1957.

He held this command until July 1960 when he entered the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

For exceptionally meritorious service from April 1969 to April 1970, as commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam and as commanding general of I MEF on Okinawa, he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal.

He returned to the United States in May 1970 as special assistant to the chief of staff at Headquarters Marine Corps.