Louis M. Jones was a member of the Dixie Mission

Dixie Mission

The United States Army Observation Group, commonly known as the Dixie Mission, was the first U.S. effort to establish official relations with the Communist Party of China and the People's Liberation Army, then headquartered in the mountainous city of Yan'an...

, an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 observation mission to Yan'an

Yan'an

Yan'an , is a prefecture-level city in the Shanbei region of Shaanxi province in China, administering several counties, including Zhidan County , which served as the Chinese communist capital before the city of Yan'an proper took that role....

, China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

, in 1944 to investigate and establish official relations with the Chinese Communists.

At the time he was selected to participate in the Dixie Mission, Jones was an intelligence officer with the 45th Bombardment Squadron. His objective on the mission was to liaison between the communists and the XX Bomber Command

XX Bomber Command

The XX Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Far East Air Forces, based on Okinawa. It was inactivated on July 16, 1945.- History:...

, which was interested in obtaining communist help in rescuing downed B-29 crews.