Buck Jones (December 12, 1891 â€" November 30, 1942) was an American
motion picture star, known for his work in many popular western
movies. In his early film appearances, he was credited as Charles
Jones.Charles Frederick Gebhart was born on the outskirts of
Vincennes, Indiana, on December 12, 1891---some sources indicate
December 4, 1889, but his marriage license and military records
confirm the 1891 date. In 1907 he joined the United States Army a
month after his 16th birthday: his mother had signed a consent form
that gave his age as 18. He was assigned to Troop G, 6th Cavalry
Regiment, and was deployed to the Philippines in October 1907, where
he served in combat and was wounded during the Moro Rebellion. Upon
his return to the US in December 1909, he was honorably discharged at
Fort McDowell, California.Jones had an affection for race cars and the
racing industry and became close friends with early driver Harry
Stillman. Through his association with Stillman he began working
extensively as a test driver for the Marmon Motor Car Company. Yet by
October 1910 he had re-enlisted in the United States Army. Because he
wanted to learn to fly, he requested a transfer to the Aeronautical
Division, U.S. Signal Corps in 1913, without knowing that only an
officer could become a pilot. He received his second honorable
discharge from the Army in October 1913.Following his military service
he began working as a cowboy on the 101 Ranch near Bliss, Oklahoma.
While attending equestrian shows he met Odille "Dell" Osborne, who
rode horses professionally. The two became involved and married in
1915. Both had very little money, so the producers of a Wild West Show
they were working on at the time offered to allow them to marry in an
actual show performance, in public, which they accepted.
motion picture star, known for his work in many popular western
movies. In his early film appearances, he was credited as Charles
Jones.Charles Frederick Gebhart was born on the outskirts of
Vincennes, Indiana, on December 12, 1891---some sources indicate
December 4, 1889, but his marriage license and military records
confirm the 1891 date. In 1907 he joined the United States Army a
month after his 16th birthday: his mother had signed a consent form
that gave his age as 18. He was assigned to Troop G, 6th Cavalry
Regiment, and was deployed to the Philippines in October 1907, where
he served in combat and was wounded during the Moro Rebellion. Upon
his return to the US in December 1909, he was honorably discharged at
Fort McDowell, California.Jones had an affection for race cars and the
racing industry and became close friends with early driver Harry
Stillman. Through his association with Stillman he began working
extensively as a test driver for the Marmon Motor Car Company. Yet by
October 1910 he had re-enlisted in the United States Army. Because he
wanted to learn to fly, he requested a transfer to the Aeronautical
Division, U.S. Signal Corps in 1913, without knowing that only an
officer could become a pilot. He received his second honorable
discharge from the Army in October 1913.Following his military service
he began working as a cowboy on the 101 Ranch near Bliss, Oklahoma.
While attending equestrian shows he met Odille "Dell" Osborne, who
rode horses professionally. The two became involved and married in
1915. Both had very little money, so the producers of a Wild West Show
they were working on at the time offered to allow them to marry in an
actual show performance, in public, which they accepted.
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