VSPA is appreciative of member Ed Daubert's efforts to locate and honor the name of an Airman he served with, who died at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in 1972, and was not then listed on VSPA's memorial pages. Finding Sgt Bruce Dale Jones began with Ed's email:

Ed Daubert, 377th SPS
I posting this question here as I think it a private matter. During my tour in Vietnam we had a guy from our section die... his name never shows up! Is this the usual policy..?

FINDING SGT. BRUCE DALE JONES

“We Take Care of Our Own” is the well-known motto of the Vietnam Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF). It is a motto from the heart and will be carried by our members until the last man standing.  I hope you will recognize the truth of this by reading our attempt to Welcome Home an heretofore unknown fellow Security Policeman, and war casualty of the Vietnam War.

Very little was known about Bruce Dale Jones' service in Vietnam. It seemed logical to look to his home of record for information, and perhaps background on who he was as a native son sent to war.

The County Seat of Conecuh County, the City of Evergreen, Alabama, is where Bruce Dale Jones was raised, and finally laid to rest. Several of Evergreens' sons have served and fallen in service to our country. One son, Bruce Dale Jones, was killed in line of duty in South Vietnam, in 1972, and was the last of eleven to die.  Little was known of his life, or service at this point, but much was known of the character of the land he grew up in. Today, Evergreen Alabama is a small town that easily reminds one of how America used to be, and perhaps should still be. The people of Evergreen no doubt have an appreciation for today's peaceful community and county, and understand the many hardships overcome that forged a collective-nature in its founding and survival.

Historically, the town of Evergreen, never larger than its 3,900 population of today. began in the early 1800’s as settlers arrived in the area. Despite the presence of hostile Indians, and the subsequent defeat by whites at Burnt Corn creek, and later a victory at Battle Branch, they recognized the fertile land, abundant forests, green foliage, and agreeable weather as a place to settle, raise families, and prosper. In 1815, the first permanent-settlement was established in the area.

Evergreen itself was founded by Revolutionary War veteran James Cosey and other veterans who put down roots in the area, and would have remember General George Washington, endured shared hardships of bitter winters, and fought battles to ensure liberty for a young country. As self-reliant men, they were determined to forage a new home in Alabama, and had the will to make it happen.

Generations passed, and Evergreen began to grow, but the peacefulness of the community was about to shatter. The turmoil of the War Between the States swept the land and raged across the South. In 1865 the old County Seat, located in a town named Sparta, was burnt by federal troops, and in 1966 was relocated to Evergreen. The Effects of the Civil War, and later years of Reconstruction, were a trying time for Alabama, as hardships continued. The county court house semmingly burnt to the ground about once a decade. In 1882, a tornado destroyed every building in Evergreen, except for a church. Near the turn of century in 1895, a tornado raged through the Evergreen and “… fire destroyed every business and house located on the east side of the railroad.  Five days later … fire destroyed every business and house on the west side.” It would take more than that to break the mindset and will of the people.

Generations passed. World Wars I, World War II, and the Korean War were fought. Evergreen never failed to offer up its sons in defense of the nation. Since Evergreen's founding, storms and punishing hurricanes had not spared Evergreen. Nevertheless, the character of area residents remained strong, faith based, with respect for others, love of country, and a belief in helping one another overcome whatever turmoil life tossed their way.

Sgt Bruce Dale Jones
No young man of military age in 1970 could have been unaware a deadly war raged in Vietnam and tens of thousands of men had already died fighting there. Even so, Bruce Dale Jones graduated Thurgood Marshall High School in May 1970, and like many young man just graduated enlisted in the Air Force immediately afterwards. By 1972, Bruce was already serving in Vietnam at an Air Base called Tan Son Nhut, near Saigon, South Vietnam.  As a member of the 377th Security Police Squadron (military police), Bruce served in the law enforcement section, and also provided base security along the perimeter. He was no stranger to automatic weapons fire, artillery thundering day and night, and the nightly-ring of fire from countless flare parachutes along the perimeter. At age 20, Bruce Dale Jones was killed in line of duty on March 9, 1972, by Accidental Self-Destruction (weapons malfunction). 

Bruce was going home... the Last Son of Evergreen, Alabama to be killed in Vientam.

Years passed as the four seasons leapfrogged each other. Hot summers were the norm, heavy winter snows occassionally, raging storms unpredectable, and their share of tropical storms or hurricanes swept up from the Gulf. Yet, men Sgt Bruce Dale Jones had served with in Vietnam had not forgotten him, nor the date he had died on March 9, 1972. As with most veterans who remember the deaths of friends in war, they are prone to feel an uneasiness as such anniversary dates approach, until they understand the significances of the coming date. Twenty-eight years to the day had just passed.

March 17, 2000, Johnny L. Johnson posted online a memorial for Bruce Dale Jones:

VVFW.org: “Bruce, we celebrated our 20th birthday together. Had no idea it would be your last. I’m 48 now and you’re still a part of each birthday that I thank GOD for.

Your War brother, Johnny Johnson, Chattanooga, TN.”

Feburary 02, 2012: As the Fortieth anniversary approached for Bruce Dale Jones’s death, another comrade in arms, Ed Daubert, emailed VSPA and inquired regarding why VSPA has not posted info on a Security Policeman who died in line of duty at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in 1971-1972 [Once more the anniversary of Bruce Dale Jones’s death had stirred a remembrance].  Ed recalled only that the a Security Policeman, was possibly named “A2C Jones” (the decades erase names).

Ed’s email follows:

Email: “Date Posted:  02/02/12 Thu
Author: Ed Daubert,377th SPS LM#507

Don, I’m posting this question here as I think it a private matter.  During my tour in Vietnam we had a guy from our 377th Security Police Squadron die... his name never shows upon our VSPA rosters! Is this the usual policy..?  This incident can be verified by our member/brother Robert Raybon who was with me at TSN. I don’t remember the date of this event.

PS: I looked up some of the information you provided and this sure looks like it’s the same guy. Most of the guys in our barracks were from the south, the time period also seems right (during my tour) but I wasn’t sure if he was an A1C or Sgt... he may have been promoted after death. There are a number of fellow SPs who can verify Jones being with the 377th LE section.

Thanks, Ed Daubert 377th SPS

Email:  Date Posted:  02/02/12 Thu
Author: " target="_blank">Don Poss

Ed: Research, so far, has discovered the name of "Bruce Dale Jones" who died in 1972 from "illness/accidental death" (in the Saigon / TSN province) when his M16 rifle was dropped, discharged, and fatally wounded him. There is a fair amount of information being discovered online now, but somewhat conflicting in areas. I have emailed a man that celebrated together with Bruce his 20th birthday and Bruce Dale Jones' 20th birthday. The email posting is very old and not likely to be valid today. Meanwhile, VSPA's Historian may be able to discover if Bruce Dale Jones was an SP, or not. 

We will keep you in the loop as information develops. Don Poss

Until Ed Daubert's above email, Bruce Dale Jones had remained unknown to VSPA at large. An immediate search for information began, and included VSPA’s professional researchers and Communication Director and Webmaster, Don Poss.

The name “Bruce Dale Jones” was not listed online in the several research heritage and genealogy servers we use regularly to update casualty information, such as our fallen casualties' grave site locations. We searched VSPA’s copy of the official government casualty database for “Jones” (USAF) either killed in action or line of duty. The Casualty database, for “Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam” (Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon’s province in 1971-1972, when Ed was there), located the name “Bruce Dale Jones”.

Casualty database for "Bruce Dale Jones":

Further searching led to the Virtual Wall and the below info which indicates Dale Bruce Jones may be a heretofore unknown KIA/LOD SP (and possibly the 112th AP/SP KIA/LOD), as follows:

Bruce Dale Jones
SGT - E4 - Air Force - Regular 
Casualty was on Mar 9, 1972
In GIA DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died of illness/injury, GROUND CASUALTY
ACCIDENTAL SELF-DESTRUCTION
Body was recovered
Panel 02W - Line 114
[Home of Record: Conecuh County, Evergreen, Alabama]

Nevertheless, Bruce Dale Jones’ online personal information was not to be found, and the search broaden to include Conecuh County veterans memorials. Help was coming .

Rabb Cemetery, Evergreen, Alabama
Listed on the Alabama Historic, Cemetery Register 04/07/06

The question now was if the "Bruce" listed on the monument was our missing “Bruce,” and if dates of birth and date matched our known dates.  I emailed the monument’s Contact person, James Windham, and explained VSPA was searching for information on Line of Duty casualty Bruce Dale Jones.  I was soon contacted by Mr. Windham, of Evergreen.  During our phone conversations, James pointed out that he was a US Navy Vietnam War veteran, and Flight crew member.

I told James Windham about VSPA’s efforts to locate Bruce Dale Jones and provided information received from VSPA members and Tan Son Nhut Association’s Charles Penley, which including Bruce’s Security Police MOS.  Our task now was to discover where Bruce Dale Jones was buried.

One of several heritage and genealogy programs VSPA uses listed a cemetery for a “Bruce Dale Jones”, with the name of Rabb Cemetery , but no address was associated with the cemetery. I told James Windham that I had located the small “Rabb Cemetery” near Evergreen, where a “Bruce Dale Jones” was buried. The online Google Earth satellite images showed the cemetery location appearing to front on an unnamed dirt road.

Bruce Dale Jones was indeed the Bruce Dale Jones killed in line of duty we were searching for – his tombstone's engraved date of death matched official records. Welcome Home to VSPA, Bruce Dale Jones!

From: " target="_blank">Don Poss
To: James Windham
Subject: RE: Gravesite: Bruce Dale Jones
Date: Friday, June 1, 2012, 5:18 PM

James, do you know if Bruce Dale Jones had relatives buried at Rabb Cemetery?  Just a curiosity on my part. Also, I found a reference to Rabb Cemetery being an Historical Cemetery:

Rabb Cemetery, Evergreen, Alabama
Listed on the Alabama Historic
Cemetery Register 04/07/06

Thank you,

Don Poss,
VSPA Communications Director/Webmaster

From: James Windham
To: " target="_blank">Don Poss
Subject: RE: Gravesite: Bruce Dale Jones
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2012 6:31 PM

Don, Bruce is buried by himself with no one else around with the same last name.  I do have a call out in the community for anyone related to him to contact me.  I also get radio time when I want it and put out an appeal on the radio this morning.  Will do it a few more times just in case the right person wasn't listening today. Will continue to search for kin folk.

What web site did you first encounter the story with the monument and how to contact me?  If you would, pass that web address to me.
Have a great weekend and take care. JLW

From: " target="_blank">Don Poss
To: James Windham
Subject: RE: Gravesite: Bruce Dale Jones
Date: Friday, June 1, 2012, 10:42 PM

James, the website I first saw was the monument site at: https://leepeacock2010.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-military-monument-includes-list-of.html. Toward the bottom reads: If you know of any other county war casualties that aren’t on this list, please contact Windham at 251-230-1507 or jandtwind@bellsouth.net, so that he can add that person to the list. Sounds like you are covering all the bases putting the word out.

Thank you,

Don Poss,
VSPA Communications Director/Webmaster

From: James Windham
To: " target="_blank">Don Poss
Subject: RE: Gravesite: Bruce Dale Jones
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2012 1:59 AM

Lee Peacock is my friend that works as a reporter at the local newspaper.  He's one heck of a good guy and tries to help me in almost every endeavor I enter.

Thank you. JLW

From: " target="_blank">Don Poss
To: James Windham
Subject: RE: Gravesite: Bruce Dale Jones
Sent: Sunday, June 3, 2012, 1:00 AM

James, I am still gathering information on Bruce Dale Jones.  So far I have two names of men who served with him, and am trying to make contact.  I will write a tribute page in Bruce's memory that will post at VSPA.com. When I write such an article I like to know a little about the area he lived it. Evergreen has a rich and trying history, I think that underlines the strong character of those who live there now and in the past.  I do not think very many of those leaving here in California could endure the trying times and hardships faced head-on and overcome by the people of Evergreen, and the County.  Mainly because the towns and cities in southern California are like one giant city of millions, without town boundaries distinguishable from another, and certainly with no vacant land between city borders whatsoever. Consequently, while there may be pride in one’s City, few would express loyalty they would be willing to fight to defend. People here think of themselves more as “Californians” rather than the city name they live in.  More so, you would likely find a greater faith in America by those Californians who have served the country in military service or law enforcement, than you would to this state.  Sad, really.  Perhaps that is because this part of the country has never experienced war on foreign lands, nor do they recognize but for a strong military force they could witness such devastation on our homelands.

I think Bruce Jones, whether he recognized it or not during his 20 years of life, was very much a product of his home and community. As you know, the Vietnam War was well under way, and while many others fled to Canada, Bruce chose to enlist in the Air Force when he graduated high school in 1970. He knew there was a war in full battle of which thousands had already died.  Yet he was willing to enlist and do his part for the country.  I do not think his story can be understood or told without the reader knowing something about Evergreen, and the veterans living there today who care for fellow veterans, living and dead, as you do.  It is the willingness of today’s veterans to take action, who caused your county veterans monument to rise up, and have literally written in stone the names of those who paid the ultimate cost in war. This action rings true in the promise the fallen will not be forgotten.  It is this promise that forms the brotherhood bonding veterans across a century of wars. And it is your veterans monument that is essential to assure future generations will know the names carved in stone are of their own countrymen, and kin. It is the name of Bruce Dale Jones, and his service to country, that thousands of veterans will soon read about and recognize his life still has meaning, and his name is remembered alongside the many who fell in battle or duty.

Don Poss,
VSPA Communications Director/Webmaster

From: James Windham
To: " target="_blank">Don Poss
Subject: RE: Gravesite: Bruce Dale Jones
Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2012 2:11 PM

Hello Don,
Has taken a while to get back to you.  I had planned a lengthy email about Conecuh County and areas therein but have decided a better tact would be sending you a site dealing with a book written by Mr. B. F. Riley [The USGenWeb ArchivesProject - Alabama, CONECUH COUNTY BOOK: HISTORY 0F CONECUH COUNTY, 1881 ] many years ago.  The link should take you to those publications.  I believe Chapter 8 is the first mention of Mr. William Rabb Sr., the gentleman that originally established the cemetery and an early merchant of the county.

These are abbreviated writings [online access is FREE] but you can get the general idea.

Regarding your questions:
1.     I cannot locate any indication that any veteran of the War Between The States is buried at Rabb Cemetery.

2.     I have looked long and hard on line for any info that would fit what you originally located but cannot find anything of that order. As best as I can determine, the cemetery was not founded to bury slaves in, but was used for the Rabb family members.  The [satellite] photo you sent shows the brick [wall] enclosure inside the cemetery (lower right corner of the fenced area).  This was the original cemetery and location of the Rabb [family] and other white graves.  I believe there are 16 marked graves within this enclosure.  On the far upper side from this enclosure is a single grave very near the fence and by itself.  Unless I'm badly mistaken, that is the burial place of Bruce Dale Jones.

I did learn something I had not known.  The cemetery is actually under two names: Rabb cemetery and Antioch cemetery.  Most folks around here do not know that and simply refer to it as the Rabb cemetery.

James Windham’s efforts on VSPA's behalf did not cease with emailing photos. He also appeared on local radio and newspaper asking listeners and readers to help find any known relative of Bruce Dale Jones.  So far, none have been located.

Without Ed Daubert’s email of concern, Johnny L. Johnson’s online post in tribute, and James Windham’s dedicated desire to help brothers in arms locate and Welcome Home a fallen brother, Bruce Dale Jones would likely have remained unknown and unconfirmed as a Security Policeman.

VSPA’s Reunion 2012 in October, is only 109 miles from the cemetery where Bruce Dale Jones is at rest.  It may be possible to organize a group of Tan Son Nhut veterans and members to drive there and place a floral wreath on Bruce’s gravestone. It seems the least we could do to express our regret at not finding him sooner, and as our commitment as brothers to remember his service to country.

On Sunday of the VSPA 2012 Reunion, our morning Memorial Service will be the first time in VSPA's 18 years that Bruce Dale Jones’s name will be read along with the names of the 111 fallen Air Police and Security Police who died in Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam War.

A special moment will be shared by VSPA's aging veterans, who will no doubt stand as one and do their best to Welcome Home, Bruce Dale Jones, before they scatter once more across this great land. The passing of decades from whence Sgt Bruce Dale Jones fell and our discovery of his name and where he is at rest, does not weaken the will of our members to honor his service today. To the contrary... we have never for a moment ceased our efforts to find Sgt Jones' name amongst the Unknown Fallen Warriors. We will honor his service and memory until we are no more. And finally, from the heart, at last ... we say to Sgt Bruce Dale Jones ... Welcome Home... We Take Care of Our Own.

We will assemble in reunion again, fewer in number each year, but eternally resolved and dedicate to our pledge and motto: We Take Care of Our Own.

Don Poss,
VSPA Webmaster, Communications Director

Info about James Windham: I was actually in the Navy and was an air crewman on the old Super Connie aircraft.  Our primary mission was typhoon reconnaissance.  We were a well established radar platform and were called on to do some airborne early warning missions over Vietnam.  We also did some troop movement and hauled some supplies.  One of our aircraft was a stripped/gutted model of the WC-121-N and it was used for cargo an personnel movement, no super radar equipment in it nor were there any upper or lower radomes on it.

We were based out of Guam but flew all over that area of the Pacific.  I was in Vietnam in 1970, 1971 and 1972, then I transferred from Guam to Virginia.  Yes we did fly into Thailand.  There were either two or three bases we were subject to go to, but too much water under the bridge takes those names from me at this time.  I know we landed in Bangkok, Thailand, but can't really pick up the other bases we went to.  I hit Hong Kong, Japan, Okinawa, P. I., Korea, and every little island in the chain out there.  It was a fun and exciting time and has found memories attached to it.

Prior to reporting to Guam with VW-1, I had been stationed in Jacksonville, FL with VW-4, they were sister outfits.  Did a lot of Atlantic time with them.  Only difference, in Jax we flew hurricanes, in Guam we flew typhoons.

Link to VW-1 and the Connies.

I was there when VW-1 was decommissioned and absorbed into VQ-1.  Our mission remained basically the same. After leaving the Super Connies, I was selected to go to C-130 flight engineer school and flew the Herc's out of the P. I. for 3 years and out of Rota Spain for 5 years.  I finally promoted myself out of a flying job and the Navy put me to flying a desk, about as much fun as listening to grass grow.

I retired out of P'cola NAS and lived just east of there in a small town named Milton. It is about [109 miles] drive to the cemetery Brother Jones is interred in. I will get that headstone cleaned up some and hopefully get you some nicer pictures. If you're in P'cola, just give me a call and I'll guide you right in and then we can have coffee together.

I had actually forgotten about that Đà Nàng Air Base Mar. 16, 1970 EC121 Crash until you sent the link.  That is the same squadron our outfit combined with in 1971 with the mission remaining the same. [Đà Nàng Air Base naval EC12 crashed on landing killing several].

Our AEW flights in V. N. were normally to cover when VQ-1 had aircraft availability problems.  That plane in the [Đà Nàng Air Base] crash is the same thing I flew except it had a couple more classy radar units than us. Thanks for the link and I anxiously await your work.

I addressed this grave an some other veterans graves at this cemetery at the last DAV (past Thursday) meeting and that I wanted to establish a routine of getting out to the cemeteries and cleaning up our vets headstones.
Take care.
JLW

Do not let this be our last communication, would enjoy swapping sea stories and info with you along the way. Hopefully this will give you some more insight into Bruce Dale Jones and our county of Conecuh. Any other questions, holler. Take care.
JLW

Veterans Monument Plans
When completed, each service will be represent with a column and service flag.
An American Flag will fly 24/7, illuminated, and from a 40 foot flagpole.
Veterans Monument is now in place on a granite base.
Permanent Decking will be installed.

Monument Site map drawing

About the Veterans Monument

The board of education has given us (DAV) a perpetual lease on the area where the Veterans monument is to be completed.  It is along a major north/south route, U. S. Hwy. 31 on the play grounds of the "OLD" elementary city school.  Evergreen has what has been called "the overhead bridge" for more years than I can remember.  This location is just before the bridge if heading south and just after the bridge if traveling north.  It is in a prominent area and will be well displayed.

Our overall cost for the monument is estimated to be in the general area of $100,000.00.  As of date, the city of Evergreen has paid the cost for the memorial stone dedicated to those from the county who gave all.  That is already in place and set.  I have negotiated with a local chapter of Woodmen of the World and they agreed to pay 1/2 the cost of the flag poles provided we use their supplier.  That equates to a savings of roughly $6,500.00 and gives us a top quality pole designed to withstand hurricane force winds.  Along with that, Woodmen will also supply us with U. S. Flags forever.

The local electrical supplier (Southern Pine), has a request from us for a $10,000.00 grant and we have been basically assured that will be approved at their next meeting.  Also, the Porch Creek Indians are from this area with several of our residents and veterans being members of it.  They operate a casino about 50 miles down the road and are always generous for projects such as this, we anticipate them matching the Southern Pine donation.  The County Commission voted last Monday to contribute $5,000.00 toward the monument, I have a friend I mentioned it to who immediately donated $1,000.00.  We are charging $100.00 for those who wish to have their names placed on the stones that will be set to the rear portion of the slab.

Our project has basically just gotten kicked off but the response has been very positive toward it.  We are a long way from accomplishing on goal on the monetary scale but if the response stays as high as it came out initially, we'll reach our goal within 2-3 months.  (I'm the eternal pessimist).

As stated before, we are requesting $100.00 at this time to place a name on the monument and we have a cut off date of 1 September in place to try and encourage people to move forward.  That is so we can get the names engraved at the quarry before the stones are delivered.  If a person does not get their name on before delivery they will not be shut out, it will just cost more.  As of now we estimate the cost to have a name placed after delivery to be between $100.00 & $200.00 due to having to bring someone out in the field to do the engraving.

Our cost factors to date are minimal.  The drawing design was donated, the property prep work was done at a very low cost, ($1,000.00) to include pouring the slab the current memorial monument sets on.  The expected cost to finish the concrete work is $4,000.00.  All the local merchants and businesses are pitching in and letting us have services and items at a greatly reduced cost.  The entire cost for the current monument, including the handling cost by the local funeral home, was borne by the city to the tune of approximately $14,000.00.

We consider ourselves as having already started construction by virtue the centerpiece stone being in place and has already been the site of one ceremony on Memorial Day.  Our hoped for "completion" date is to have the entire base, all stones, lighting (to include a perpetual gas flame in the form of 2 gas lights at the entrance), flag poles and flags, drive and parking area done by Veterans Day so we can have another full fledged dedication ceremony there to consecrate the memorial to all who've served.

As to the requirements for placing a name on the stones, and this may interest or pertain to some of your members, a person must have or had some ties to Conecuh County Alabama.  We accept names of those from here who have moved to other areas, we accept those who moved to this area from elsewhere.  Our basic requirement is, one must have served from WW I forward and have been HONORABLY discharged.

Should we manage to acquire more funds than needed for the monument, it will go toward the purchase of a van for the local DAV chapter to take people to VA doctor appointments.  Montgomery is approximately 100 miles away and that's where most appointments are however, some go to Tuskegee for appointments and a few to other places.  Our members are no longer spring chickens (if you know what I mean) and several do not have transportation or cannot drive.

I hope I've answered all your questions to satisfaction, if not, just ping me with an email and we'll take care of it.

I'm not sure what pictures you've had access to but I'll include a couple more showing the site, site prep and the current monument standing there.

Thanks for what you do.  Always remember.

JLW