Bruce Jaques was born on July 24, 1919, in Los Angeles, California. He entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Navy on April 24, 1941, and was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator on March 17, 1942. After completing carrier training and F4F Wildcat training, Ens Jaques served with VGF-29 (later redesigned VF-29 in March 1943) from July 1942 to June 1945, during which time he was credited with the destruction of 5.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 3 more on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. One of these air victories was made in November 1942 while flying an F4F during the Operation Torch invasion of North Africa while flying off of the aircraft carrier USS Santee (CVE-29), and the other 4.5 were made while flying F6F Hellcats off the aircraft carrier USS Cabot (CVL-28) in the Pacific Theater, all during October 1944. His final active duty assignment was as a pilot with Experimental Fighting Squadron Two Hundred from June 1945 until he left active duty and went into the Naval Reserve on October 24, 1945. CDR Jaques received an honorable discharge from the Naval Reserve on June 1, 1957. He died on September 1, 2011, and was buried at the All Saints Cemetery in San Luis Rey, California.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as pilot of an airplane in Escort Fighting Squadron TWENTY-NINE, attached to the U.S.S. SANTEE, during the occupation of French Morocco, November 8-11, 1942. With bold determination and utter disregard for his own personal safety, Ensign Jaques pressed home a vigorous attack with resulted in the destruction of a hostile bomber. Later, with superb flying skill, he neutralized an enemy gun position and destroyed three planes on the ground. His aggressive devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.