DUBOIS — A 19-year-old soldier who graduated from Northeast Dubois High School last year has been wounded in action in Iraq.
Spc. Kyle Jones remains on light duty today following the June 27 attack on the convoy he was leading about 30 miles from Camp Speicher, near Tikrit, where he is stationed.
Jones, trained as an infantryman, was driving the lead vehicle when a roadside bomb exploded near the driver’s side. The impact of the explosion hit him in the chest, busted two of his ribs and caused flash burns to his left retina; he suffered a mild concussion.
His body armor — a 9-pound flak vest stuffed with steel plates — saved his life, said his mother, Kim Jones, of Dubois.
Jones spent five days in a U.S. military hospital and is recovering from his wounds at Camp Anaconda, near Balaad, a major U.S. installation in central Iraq.
The family learned of the wounds through a telephone call from the Red Cross military liaison office hours after the incident. Eight hours later, Kim and Claude Jones had a chance to speak with their son.
Jones was sedated and in a hospital bed in Baghdad during the call.
“The first thing he said was, ‘Mom, I’m alive,’” Kim Jones said.
Jones joined the National Guard as a junior at Northeast Dubois on a program called split option. He took basic training before his senior year, then completed advanced training last summer.
While in high school he played baseball and basketball and briefly ran cross country for the Jeeps.
He was the starting second baseman on the squad that made it to the Class 1A semistate in 2007, and one of three seniors on that team who enlisted in the military following graduation
Jones was never injured during his athletic career, his mother said.
His recovery now assured — and a Purple Heart forthcoming — Jones is spending his days doing odd jobs around Camp Anaconda, his mother said. He is expected to return to full duty within a week.
Jones was typically a gunner in the rear vehicle of the convoys the Jasper-based 1st Battalion, 151st Regiment operates in Iraq, but he had taken the driver’s seat the day he was injured, Kim Jones said.
His was the first reported serious casualty for the 1/151 since that National Guard unit shipped out in late winter for its second yearlong combat tour.
Jones is assigned to Delta Company, based in Washington.
Local News
Dubois County soldier wounded in Iraq
- Local News
-
-
Seidel crowned WC's homecoming queen
Madison Seidel, daughter of Jane and Richard Seidel of Washington, was crowned 2012 Washington Catholic Homecoming Queen at the Birdcage on Saturday.
-
Car becomes stuck on railroad tracks; driver cited
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Schnitzelbank has No. 1 sandwich in Indiana
Indianapolis had a great time hosting the Super Bowl and although most of the attention appeared to be focused on all things Brady, Manning and Manning (sounds like a law firm), however, we know the star that shined the brightest was the Indiana Super 46 sandwich contest.
-
Messmer in Washington to discuss current legislation
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
One bill of local interest that has passed through the House is HB 1149, the smoking ban. It would prohibit smoking in public places, enclosed places of employment and within 12 feet of a public entrance to those places. It also would prohibit smoking in certain state vehicles if signed into law. -
Messmer hears concerns
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
-
Car finds railroad tracks
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Pierce named B-R Homecoming Queen
Rebekah Pierce, daughter of Russell and Beth Pierce of Washington, was crowned 2012 Homecoming Queen at Barr-Reeve High School on Friday.
-
ND crowns Steffey, McAtee
Anthony Steffey, son of Jim and Bridgette Steffey, and Shelby McAtee, daughter of Ron and Lynn Cox, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at North Daviess High School on Friday.
-
Car causes garage fire on Edwardsport Road
A car caught fire at the home belonging to Robert Wichman at 5295N 100W.
-
Washington native on short list for Indiana Supreme Court
Washington native the Honorable Maria D. Granger is one of 15 under consideration to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
