“PJ” was a well-known RAAF Fighter Pilot and Flying Instructor, who later rose in the administrative ranks of the RAAF. He died from cancer at his home in Cook, ACT, early on the 17th of June 1981, aged 48.
Air Commodore Puleston-Jones had become seriously ill in early 1981. At that time, he had been on posting in Washington DC, USA, where he was fulfilling the role of Air Attaché at the Australian Embassy. He was flown home once the seriousness of his diagnosis was understood.
He was educated at Cranbrook School, Sydney, joined the RAAF in 1952 and trained as a pilot. His career from 1954 included tours of duty as a Fighter Pilot and as a Flying Instructor; flying Meteors, Sabres and Mirages.
In 1961/62 he was with No.1 Air Trials Unit at Woomera, SA; this unit conducted live-fire missile tests against pilotless drones.
John had flown with 77 Squadron in South Korea in 1954 (soon after the Korean War Armistice) and from 1962 spent 16 months in South Korea as a Military Liaison Officer.
John had been flying Sabres at Butterworth from January 1965. In December 1966, was appointed C.O. of No.3 Squadron for the two-month period when 3SQN’s Sabre operations in Malaysia were being wound-up. This duty included John leading the spectacular “Operation Excalibur” Sabre-ferry operation, all the way back to Williamtown from Malaysia.
12 February 1967. John leads 3SQN’s Excalibur Sabres
off from Butterworth.
John commanded 75 Squadron, equipped with Mirages, at Butterworth from 1971-73. He accepted the Duke of Gloucester Cup on behalf of his Squadron, which was assessed as the RAAF's most proficient flying Squadron in the 1972 year.
He then held several senior RAAF administrative posts in various stations around Australia. Before moving to Washington in December 1980, John had been Officer Commanding RAAF Base Pearce, in Western Australia, for two years. His decorations included the General Service Medal 1962 (Malay Peninsula Clasp), United Nations Service Medal and National Medal with one Clasp.
A military funeral was conducted by RAAF Chaplain Jack LEONARD at the Anzac Memorial Chapel, Royal Military College Duntroon, on the 19th of June 1981. This was followed by a service at Norwood Park Crematorium. Air Commodore Puleston-Jones left behind a widow and a daughter. [Dearly loved husband of Merron (nee Waugh), loving father of Bronwen. Dear brother of Janet.]