Honoring and Remembering CTN1 Hayden Earl Jones Jr., USN

"The cryptologic community has long benefited from the technical expertise and operational employment offered by the CT enlisted workforce. Easily stepping into this role was Cryptologic Technician (Network) First Class Hayden Earl Jones, a Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC) instructor who served at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station.

He was a friend, mentor, and valuable teammate throughout the command. He routinely volunteered to instruct the CWOBC class and guide new accession 1810s in their early training. Hayden never missed an opportunity to help a student after hours, mentor a fellow instructor, or answer the odd tasker from the Command. He was a patriot, the epitome of class, and he left a resounding impression on the cryptologic community.

Prior to IWTC Corry Station, Hayden served at Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command in Suffolk Va. as a Computer Network Defense (CND) analyst, Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) member battle watch team member. Recognized by his peers and supervisors at both commands as a subject matter expert in CND, Hayden was meritoriously advanced to Petty Officer First Class.

Tragically, Hayden died on July 7, 2022, in Pensacola, FL shortly after being relieved as the IWTC Officer of the Deck. On his way home, a car failed to yield and the two vehicles collided. At just 23 years old, his young life was cut short by the catastrophic failure of the airbag that was meant to protect him.

Hayden was born in San Diego to Hayden Earl Jones, Sr. and Gloria S. Palaganas Jones on August 4, 1998 and graduated from Brandon High School where he played football and was voted best dressed.

Shortly after high school, Hayden, a Son of a Sailor, found his calling and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October of 2016. Shortly after boot camp, Hayden reported to Corry Station for Cryptologic Technician (Network) training where he quickly mastered his computer network defense skills".