Colonel Richard M. Jones was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, 27 June 1944. His first duty assignment was as Infantry Platoon Leader, 89th Infantry Division, Camp Butner, North Carolina. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Rifle Platoon Leader, 78th Infantry Division, European Theater of Operations; Rifle Company Commander, 78th Infantry Division, European Theater of Operations; 81st Reconnaissance Co, 81st Infantry Division (USAR), Atlanta, Georgia; Commanding Officer, 997th Chemical Battalion (USAR), Atlanta, Georgia; Assistant Chief of Staff G-3, 81st Infantry Division (USAR), Atlanta, Georgia; Chief of Staff, 81st Army Reserve Command, Atlanta, Georgia; and Deputy Commander, 81st Army Reserve Command, Atlanta, Georgia.