After completing his training, Jones was posted to No. 74 Squadron, where he formed a friendship with one of the flight commanders, Captain Edward "Mick" Mannock, and it was with this Squadron that he earned his decorations for bravery. Jones was awarded several decorations during the First World War. These included the Military Cross and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. On 3 August 1918, the "London Gazette" announced that Jones was to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for the following citation: "In eleven days this officer attacked and destroyed six enemy aeroplanes, displaying great courage, skill and initiative." In September 1918 Jones was awarded the Military Cross. His citation read:  Later on in the same month, Jones was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross. The "Gazette" described Jones as being a "A gallant officer who in the last three months has destroyed twenty-one enemy aeroplanes." In November 1918, Jones was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His citation read:  In June 1918, Jones became a flight commander. On 30 July he shot down an LVG two seater flying a badly damaged SE-5a, which collapsed on landing. Throughout his service career, Jones had a reputation for crashing his aircraft when attempting to land, reportedly surviving (relatively unscathed) some 28 flying accidents of varying severity. By the end of the War though, he had scored 37 victories in just 3 months whilst flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 with 74 Squadron in France. His 37 claims consisted of 1 balloon destroyed, 28 (and 1 shared) aircraft destroyed, and 6 (and 1 shared) "down out of control". After the Armistice he became Commanding Officer of No. 74 Squadron until it was disbanded in 1919. Jones was once quoted as saying: "It is wonderful how cheered a pilot becomes after he shoots down his first machine; his morale increases by at least 100 percent." "My habit of attacking Huns dangling from their parachutes led to many arguments in the mess. Some officers, of the Eton and Sandhurst type, thought it was 'unsportsmanlike' to do it. Never having been to a public school, I was unhampered by such considerations of form. I just pointed out that there was a bloody war on, and that I intended to avenge my pals." Vic Hand served as an armourer under Jones' command at 53 OTU in 1941 and 1942, and recalls: “Taffy designed an unofficial badge for 53 OTU by adding wings to the tiger head of his 74 Squadron, but I cannot recall the motto.