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An unheralded benefit that came to us at West Point was the friendship of some truly splendid characters, our classmates. Jay Jaynes exemplified this benefit, as his friends in the Class of ’42 would willingly agree.</div>
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Jay came to the Academy from Texas—deep in the heart thereof—from Texas A&M. He had inborn those old-fashioned qualities often identified with “Texans”: patriotism, a high standard of conduct, and a deep sense of family. In addition, Jay was a gentleman. These qualities he did not wear on his sleeve to advertise to the casual crowd. He displayed his character by means of his daily contact with those close to him.</div>
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In many ways, Jay was the very best of friends. He would pass the time of day by citing his experiences, bad as well as good—but his interest lay in your conversation rather than in his own. The same was true of his treatment of your friends and family. He would extend little courtesies to them showed a true gentleman acting in his own natural way.</div>
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Over the years since “42” we met many times, and pleasant times they were. Seeing Jay always seemed to make the day a special one. Just before his death, he visited his daughter who lived near me, bringing us together for a last time. He was still the heartwarming friend of old.</div>
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Jay was widely known by his classmates because of his fathering the “Class Godson” (whose footsteps have followed his dad's into Texas A&M and into a career as an Air Force officer). Rita Demarest, his “kaydet drag” and later his wife, was responsible (no less than Jay, of course) for our “Godson.” Together they formed a paradigm of service family life. She was as well a boon to his professional career.</div>
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Jay's wartime duty with the 485th Bomber Group, Fifteenth Air Force, in Italy, earned him many decorations, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The citation for the first DFC reads as follows:</div>
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“For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as navigator of a B-24 type aircraft. On 30 May 1944, Captain Jaynes led his group on a bombing mission against an important and heavily defended enemy aircraft factory in Austria. Despite heavy enemy opposition encountered en route, Captain Jaynes skillfully navigated the formation to the target despite the fact that it was particularly difficult to identify. He thereby aided his group to complete a highly successful bombing run which caused considerable damage to the installations at the target. Through his outstanding leadership, a most difficult mission was successfully accomplished thus inflicting grave damage upon the enemy. By his outstanding professional skill, leadership, and devotion to duty, together with his splendid combat record, Captain Jaynes has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.”</div>
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The action for which Jay’s second Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded (27 August 1944), was for the exceptional bravery of the entire crew which enabled the aircraft to complete a most successful bombing run on a vital synthetic oil refinery in Germany, while the aircraft was being consumed with flames. Finally when the run was over and the pilot had guided the plane away from the formation, the entire crew parachuted to safety, although unfortunately into enemy territory. As a result, Jay served out the remainder of the war in Europe as a prisoner of war. In this role, according to his colleagues, he displayed great ingenuity and spirit in making the routines of his captors more complex and, at times, even miserable.</div>
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In addition to the above decorations, Jay was also awarded the following: the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the American Campaign Medal, the European-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four battle stars, the American Defense Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Medal with four bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.</div>
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Following World War II, his service took him to many places, including the Air Force College and tours of duty with Research and Development, both at the Pentagon and at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.</div>
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After retirement in 1965, Jay and Rita enjoyed the civilian life once again by operating their own shop, the Midas Coin Center in Annandale, Virginia, and with an active social life with family and friends nearby.</div>
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Although his death from a heart attack in 1975 has left a void in the lives of his family and friends, there is naught amongst us who does not feel deeply enriched by the life, love, and friendship of Jay Jaynes. God bless him.</div>
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<em>“Here’s to the man who won the cup </em></div>
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<em>Sure he was kind and true;</em></div>
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<em>And he did bring ‘Our Godson’ up </em></div>
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<em>To don the Air Force Blue.”</em></div>
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<em>—A Classmate</em></div>
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