James Ira Thomas Jones | |
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| Nickname(s) | Ira Jones Taffy Jones |
| Born | 18 April 1896 Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| Died | 30 August 1960 (aged 64) Aberaeron, Wales |
| Buried | Sarnau Chapelyard, Bancyfelin |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1913–1936 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit | No. 74 Squadron RAF |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Military Medal |
| Other work | Author |
James Ira Thomas "Taffy" Jones DSO, MC, DFC & Bar, MM (18 April 1896 – 30 August 1960) was a Welsh flying ace during the First World War. Jones was born on 18 April 1896 at Woolstone Farm, near St Clears, Carmarthenshire. In 1913, Jones enlisted in the Territorial Army, though he was soon transferred into the newly established Royal Flying Corps, serving as an air mechanic on ground duties (where he earned the Military Medal) before volunteering for flying duties as an Observer. Jones commenced pilot training in August 1917 after being commissioned. After completing his training he joined No. 74 Squadron, where he served until the end of hostilities in 1918.
Although having a reputation for crashing his aircraft when attempting to land, Jones recorded 37 victories in just three months whilst flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5. He won several awards and decorations during the war including the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar and the Distinguished Service Order. Jones first retired from the RAF in 1936 but was recommissioned at the outbreak of the Second World War. After retiring again in 1945, Jones lived in Wales where he wrote three books on the RFC and RAF. He died in 1960 through complications after a fall at his home in Wales.