# Lincoln Jones

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{{short description|US Army major general (1933–2013)}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox military person
| name          = Lincoln Jones
| image         = Lincoln Jones III (US Army major general).jpg
| alt           = 1990 color head and shoulders photograph of Major General Lincoln Jones III in dress uniform
| caption       = Jones as a major general in January 1990
| nickname      = Linc<ref name="Executive1985"/>
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1933|1|23|df=y}}
| birth_place   = [Fort Benning](/source/Fort_Benning), Georgia, US
| death_date    = {{death date and age|2013|1|16|1933|1|23|df=y}}
| death_place   = [The Woodlands, Texas](/source/The_Woodlands%2C_Texas), US
| burial_place  = [West Point Cemetery](/source/West_Point_Cemetery)
| branch        = [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army)
| branch_label  = Service
| service_years = 1958–1990
| rank          = [Major General](/source/Major_general_(United_States))
| unit          = [US Army Infantry Branch](/source/Infantry_Branch_(United_States))
| commands      = 1st Battalion, [12th Infantry Regiment](/source/12th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States))<br/>2nd Brigade, [9th Infantry Division](/source/9th_Infantry_Division_(United_States))<br/>[V Corps](/source/V_Corps_(United_States))<br/>[Southern European Task Force](/source/Southern_European_Task_Force%2C_Africa)<br/>5th Theater Army Area Command
| battles       = [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War)
| battles_label = Wars
| awards        = [Army Distinguished Service Medal](/source/Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal) (2)<br/>[Defense Superior Service Medal](/source/Defense_Superior_Service_Medal)<br/>Legion of Merit (2)<br/>[Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States))<br/>[Bronze Star Medal](/source/Bronze_Star_Medal) (2)<br/>[Complete List](/source/Lincoln_Jones)
| alma_mater    = [United States Military Academy](/source/United_States_Military_Academy)<br/>[Auburn University](/source/Auburn_University)<br/>[Air Command and Staff College](/source/Air_Command_and_Staff_College)<br/>[National War College](/source/National_War_College)
| spouse        = {{marriage|Alexandra Ann Archbald|1958|2013}}
| children      = 2
| other_work    = Strategic planning consultant<br/>Business executive
}}
'''Lincoln Jones''' (23 January 1933 – 16 January 2013) was a career officer in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army). A 1958 graduate of the [United States Military Academy](/source/United_States_Military_Academy) at West Point, he served until retiring in 1990 and attained the rank of [major general](/source/Major_general_(United_States)). Jones was a veteran of the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War) and his decorations included two awards of the [Army Distinguished Service Medal](/source/Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal), the [Defense Superior Service Medal](/source/Defense_Superior_Service_Medal), two awards of the [Legion of Merit](/source/Legion_of_Merit), and the [Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States)).

A native of [Fort Benning](/source/Fort_Benning), Georgia and the son of an army officer, Jones was raised and educated in New Jersey and attended [Highland Park High School](/source/Highland_Park_High_School_(New_Jersey)) and the [Dwight School](/source/Dwight_School). After attending [Lehigh University](/source/Lehigh_University), in 1953 he obtained an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He attended from 1954 to 1958, then began a career as an [Infantry](/source/Infantry_Branch_(United_States)) officer. Jones attended the [Infantry Officer Basic Course](/source/United_States_Army_Infantry_School), Infantry Officer Advanced Course, [United States Army Airborne School](/source/United_States_Army_Airborne_School), and [Ranger School](/source/Ranger_School), and carried out duty assignments in the Continental United States, Hawaii, South Korea, and Italy. During the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War), he served with the [4th Infantry Division](/source/4th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)) as deputy assistant chief of staff for personnel (assistant G-1) and battalion operations officer (S-3) and executive officer. His post-war postings included [aide-de-camp](/source/aide-de-camp) to the [Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army](/source/Vice_Chief_of_Staff_of_the_United_States_Army) and the vice-chief's executive officer.

Jones later served as executive officer of the 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade, commander of 1st Battalion, [12th Infantry Regiment](/source/12th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)), and deputy division chief of staff. His later postings included command of the [9th Infantry Division](/source/9th_Infantry_Division_(United_States))'s 2nd Brigade, division chief of staff, and assistant division commander for operations. His final posting before retiring in 1990 was in Italy as commander of the [Southern European Task Force](/source/Southern_European_Task_Force%2C_Africa) and 5th Theater Army Area Command.

After his military retirement, Jones lived near [Houston](/source/Houston) and pursued a career as a corporate executive and strategic consultant. In addition, he was a board member or board chairman of several civic and professional organizations. Jones died in [The Woodlands, Texas](/source/The_Woodlands%2C_Texas) on 16 January 2013. He was buried at [West Point Cemetery](/source/West_Point_Cemetery).

==Early life==
Lincoln Jones III was born at [Fort Benning](/source/Fort_Benning), Georgia on 23 January 1933, the son of Lincoln Jones Jr. and Doris (Baltz) Jones.<ref name="Executive1985">{{cite book |author=US Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel |date=1985 |title=DA Pamphlet 360–10: Army Executive Biographies |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Army_Executive_Biographies/zqRPfg2-KCEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22lincoln+jones%22+born+1933&pg=PA279&printsec=frontcover |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Headquarters, Department of the Army |page=279 |via=[Google Books](/source/Google_Books)}}</ref> Lincoln Jones Jr. was a 1926 graduate of the [United States Military Academy](/source/United_States_Military_Academy) (West Point) who was retired for disability as a [captain](/source/Captain_(United_States_O-3)) in 1937.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 July 1948 |title=Lincoln Jones Jr., Retired Captain |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-obituary-for-lincoln-jone/185582803/ |work=[Brooklyn Eagle](/source/Brooklyn_Eagle) |location=Brooklyn, New York |page=11 |via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)}}</ref> After his 1948 death, Doris Jones married Lloyd W. Salisbury, whose son Alan Blanchard Salisbury graduated from West Point in 1958 and retired from the army as a [major general](/source/Major_general_(United_States)) in 1987.<ref>{{cite news |date=23 July 1977 |title=Obituary, Lloyd W. Salisbury |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-lauderdale-news-salisbury/185583156/ |work=[News and Sun-Sentinel](/source/Sun_Sentinel) |location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida |page=3B |via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Biography, Dr. Alan B. Salisbury |url=http://absalisbury.com/7055.html |website=absalisbury.com |location=Oakton, Virginia |publisher=A. B. Salisbury & Co. |access-date=24 November 2025}}</ref>

The younger Lincoln Jones was raised and educated in [Maplewood](/source/Maplewood%2C_New_Jersey) and [Highland Park](/source/Highland_Park%2C_New_Jersey), New Jersey and  attended [Highland Park High School](/source/Highland_Park_High_School_(New_Jersey)).<ref name="Owls">{{cite news |date=5 April 1950 |title=Owls Have Small Track Turnout |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-owls/185584106/ |work=[The Daily Home News](/source/The_Daily_Home_News) |location=New Brunswick, New Jersey |page=35 |via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)}}</ref> In 1950, he began attendance at the [Dwight School](/source/Dwight_School), after which he attended [Lehigh University](/source/Lehigh_University).<ref name="Owls"/><ref name="Appointees">{{cite news |date=19 November 1953 |title=West Point, Annapolis appointees |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-ledger-appointees/185584517/ |work=[The Star-Ledger](/source/The_Star-Ledger) |location=Newark, New Jersey |page=13 |via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)}}</ref> In 1953, he received an appointment to West Point from US Representative [Robert Kean](/source/Robert_Kean).<ref name="Appointees"/> He attended from 1954 to 1958 and at graduation received his commission as a [second lieutenant](/source/Second_lieutenant_(United_States)) of [Infantry](/source/Infantry_Branch_(United_States)).<ref name="Executive1985"/><ref name="Commencement1969">{{cite book |date=3 June 1969 |title=Commencement Exercises Spring Quarter 1969 |url=https://auburn.edu/academic/provost/commencement/archives/_assets/programs/60s/1969%20Commencement%20Program_001-compressed.pdf |location=Auburn University |publisher=Auburn, Alabama |page=17}}</ref>

===Family===
In June 1958, Jones married Alexandra Ann Archbald of Highland Park, New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 June 1958 |title=Miss Archbald, Lt. Jones Unite in Military Service |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-marriag/185588084/ |work=[The Daily Home News](/source/The_Daily_Home_News) |location=New Brunswick, New Jersey |page=21 |via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)}}</ref> They were married until his death and were the parents of two children.<ref name="Obituary2013"/> Peter Lincoln Jones attained the rank of brigadier general in the US army; after retirement, he served as president of the National Infantry Museum Foundation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Chuck |date=16 November 2017 |title=Retired Brig. Gen. Peter Jones picked to lead National Infantry Museum Foundation |url=https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/military/article185092648.html |work=[Ledger-Enquirer](/source/Ledger-Enquirer) |location=Columbus, Georgia}}</ref> Patricia Ann Jones married [Malcolm B. Frost](/source/Malcolm_B._Frost); the Frosts were career army officers who each attained the rank of major general.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 May 1987 |title=Cadets Honored |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-cadets/185600009/ |work=[The Times](/source/The_Times_(Trenton)) |location=Trenton, New Jersey |page=A2 |via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=13 January 2016 |title=2015 Class Notes: Class of 1958 |url=https://www.west-point.org/class/usma1958/special/Scribe/2015%20Class%20Notes.pdf |website=west-point.org |publisher=West Point Class of 1958 |page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2025 |title=Advisor Biography, Major General Patricia A. Frost |url=https://roberts-ryan.com/team/major-general-patricia-a-frost-u-s-army-retired/ |website=roberts-ryan.com |location=New York |publisher=Roberts-Ryan |access-date=24 November 2025}}</ref>

==Start of career==
Jones' military education included the [Infantry Officer Basic Course](/source/United_States_Army_Infantry_School), Infantry Officer Advanced Course, [United States Army Airborne School](/source/United_States_Army_Airborne_School), and [Ranger School](/source/Ranger_School).<ref name="Executive1985"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Stone Locator: Jones, Lincoln III, Class 5-58 |url=https://rangermemorial.org/monument-stone/page/62/ |website=Ranger Memorial.org |location=Columbus, Georgia |publisher=National Ranger Memorial Foundation |access-date=24 November 2025}}</ref> In 1969, Jones graduated from the [Air Command and Staff College](/source/Air_Command_and_Staff_College) and received a Master of Political Science degree from [Auburn University](/source/Auburn_University); his Staff College class was the first to be jointly enrolled in Auburn University's [Air University](/source/Air_University_(United_States_Air_Force)) division.<ref name="Commencement1969"/><ref>{{cite news |date=20 August 1969 |title=1,057 Will receive Auburn Degrees At Summer Commencement August 23 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/alabama-journal-degrees/185587118/ |work=[Alabama Journal](/source/Alabama_Journal) |location=Montgomery, Alabama |page=28 |via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)}}</ref> Jones went on to complete the course at the [National War College](/source/National_War_College).<ref name="Executive1985"/>

At the start of his career, Jones served in lieutenant's and captain's assignments in the continental United States, Hawaii, South Korea, and Italy.<ref name="Executive1985"/> During the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War), he served successively as deputy assistant chief of staff for personnel (assistant G-1) of the [4th Infantry Division](/source/4th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)) (4th ID), followed by postings as operations officer (S-3) and executive officer of the [25th Infantry Division](/source/25th_Infantry_Division_(United_States))'s 2nd Battalion, [35th Infantry Regiment](/source/35th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)).<ref name="Executive1985"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Black |first=Charles |date=3 June 1968 |title=War Zone Battalion Has 'All-Georgia' Staff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-enquirer-battalion/185668443/ |work=[The Columbus Enquirer](/source/The_Columbus_Enquirer) |location=Columbus, Georgia |page=1 |via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)}}</ref> Upon return to the United States, his assignments included [aide-de-camp](/source/aide-de-camp) to the [Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army](/source/Vice_Chief_of_Staff_of_the_United_States_Army) and the vice-chief's executive officer.<ref name="Executive1985"/>

==Continued career==
Jones' subsequent assignments included a return to the 4th ID, where he served as executive officer of the division's 2nd Brigade, commander of 1st Battalion, [12th Infantry Regiment](/source/12th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)), and deputy chief of staff.<ref name="Executive1985"/> He went on to serve as deputy commander of the [193rd Infantry Brigade](/source/193rd_Infantry_Brigade_(United_States)) at [Fort Kobbe](/source/Fort_Kobbe), [Panama Canal Zone](/source/Panama_Canal_Zone).<ref name="Executive1985"/> While serving with the [9th Infantry Division](/source/9th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)) at [Fort Lewis](/source/Fort_Lewis_(Washington)), Washington, Jones commanded the division's 2nd Brigade, served as division chief of staff, and was assigned as assistant division commander for operations.<ref name="Executive1985"/>

Positions in which Jones later served included deputy commander and acting commander of [V Corps](/source/V_Corps_(United_States)) in [West Germany](/source/West_Germany), and deputy chief of staff for support at [Allied Land Forces Southern Europe](/source/Allied_Land_Forces_Southern_Europe) in Italy.<ref name="Obituary2013">{{cite web |date=25 January 2013 |title=Obituary, Lincoln Jones III |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/courier/name/lincoln-jones-obituary?id=20561645 |website=Legacy.com |location=Chicago |publisher=Legacy.com, Inc. |via=[Courier of Montgomery County](/source/Courier_of_Montgomery_County)}}</ref> His final posting was commander of the [Southern European Task Force](/source/Southern_European_Task_Force%2C_Africa) and 5th Theater Army Area Command in Italy.<ref name="Obituary2013"/> Jones retired as a [major general](/source/Major_general_(United_States)) in 1990.<ref name="Obituary2013"/>

==Later career==
After leaving the army, Jones pursued a civilian business career in the energy industry.<ref name="Obituary2013"/> He served as president of the [Enron Power Corporation](/source/Enron) from 1993 to 1998 and vice chairman of Enron Europe from 1996 to 1998.<ref name="Obituary2013"/> In addition, he was appointed managing director of the Integrated Business and Energy Development Corporation of Pakistan and chairman of Worldwide Strategic Partners.<ref name="Obituary2013"/> Jones also owned and operated the Lincoln Associates international consulting firm.<ref name="Obituary2013"/> His civic and professional memberships included board member and board chairman of the [National Defense University](/source/National_Defense_University_(United_States)) Foundation, board chairman for the World Affairs Council of [Houston](/source/Houston), and president of the West Point Society of Houston.<ref name="Obituary2013"/> Jones died in [The Woodlands, Texas](/source/The_Woodlands%2C_Texas) on 16 January 2013. He was buried at [West Point Cemetery](/source/West_Point_Cemetery).<ref name="Obituary2013"/>

==Awards==
Jones' awards and decorations included:<ref>{{cite web |last=Roederer |first=Russell |date=9 January 1990 |title=MGEN Lincoln Jones III, USA (uncovered) |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6470609 |website=Record Group 330: Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Series: Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files |location=College Park, Maryland |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration |access-date=24 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Awards Received, Lincoln Jones III |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-143952/ |website=Hall of Valor |location=Tysons, Virginia |publisher=Military Times |access-date=25 November 2025}}</ref>

*[Army Distinguished Service Medal](/source/Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal) with [oak leaf cluster](/source/oak_leaf_cluster)
*[Defense Superior Service Medal](/source/Defense_Superior_Service_Medal)
*[Legion of Merit](/source/Legion_of_Merit) with oak leaf cluster
*[Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States))
*[Bronze Star Medal](/source/Bronze_Star_Medal) with oak leaf cluster and ["V" device](/source/%22V%22_device) for Valor
*[Meritorious Service Medal](/source/Meritorious_Service_Medal_(United_States))
*[Air Medal](/source/Air_Medal) (multiple awards)
*[Army Commendation Medal](/source/Army_Commendation_Medal) (multiple awards)
*[National Defense Service Medal](/source/National_Defense_Service_Medal) with bronze [service star](/source/service_star)
*[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal](/source/Armed_Forces_Expeditionary_Medal)
*[Vietnam Service Medal](/source/Vietnam_Service_Medal) with four bronze service stars
*[Army Service Ribbon](/source/Army_Service_Ribbon)
*[Army Overseas Service Ribbon](/source/Army_Overseas_Service_Ribbon) with numeral 4
*[Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross](/source/Gallantry_Cross_(South_Vietnam)) with palm
*[Armed Forces Honor Medal](/source/Armed_Forces_Honor_Medal) (First Class)
*[Vietnam Campaign Medal](/source/Vietnam_Campaign_Medal) with 1960 device
*[Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal](/source/Civil_Actions_Medal) (First Class)
*[Combat Infantryman Badge](/source/Combat_Infantryman_Badge)
*[Parachutist Badge](/source/Parachutist_Badge_(United_States))
*[Ranger Tab](/source/Ranger_Tab)
*[Army Staff Identification Badge](/source/Army_Staff_Identification_Badge)

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Lincoln}}
Category:1933 births
Category:2013 deaths
Category:Dwight School alumni
Category:Highland Park High School (New Jersey) alumni
Category:Lehigh University alumni
Category:Military personnel from Essex County, New Jersey
Category:Military personnel from Middlesex County, New Jersey
Category:People from Highland Park, New Jersey
Category:People from Maplewood, New Jersey
Category:People from The Woodlands, Texas
Category:United States Military Academy alumni
Category:Air Command and Staff College alumni
Category:National War College alumni
Category:Auburn University alumni
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
Category:Recipients of the Air Medal
Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
Category:Burials at West Point Cemetery

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lincoln Jones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Jones) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Jones?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.