Robert James Dixon
Military
Object Number - UPL 17261 - General Robert J Dixon. Served in 3 wars: WW II, Korean and Vietnam. His last position in service was as Commander of Tactical Air Command.
Served in 3 wars: WW II, Korean and Vietnam
In 1941 he entered pilot training in the RCAF and in November 1942 was commissioned a pilot officer (2nd Lieutenant). He then graduated with a navigator rating from the RCAF Astro Navigation School. After completing Spitfire training at Dyce, Scotland, he was assigned to the 541 Sqn RAF a Photo Recon Squadron at RAF Benson, England. Transferred to USAAF September 1943, assigned to 14PRS, 7PRG,8AF. In 1944 Dixon assumed command of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. He flew mostly 'alone and unarmed' for the 14thPRS, 7th PRG, 8th AF and on 14-2-45 flew an escorted recon mission to photograph oil refineries at Leipzig/Dresden, was hit by AA and lost engine on fourth run at 10,000ft, bailed out and taken POW, A/C was Spitfire XI PL866 ,with the escort provided by 362nd FG. 14-2-45. MACR 12324.
DSC/DSM with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster/Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster/, DFC,.Bronze Star/, Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Cluster/Purple Hearth/ British Dist FC and French Croix d' officier de la Legion D' honneur. His last position in service was as Commander of Tactical Air Command
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
![Photographic officers of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group look through camera lenses infront of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273528.' [Censor no.]. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380976.jpg.webp?itok=b-IRYuYJ)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
Missions
- Date: 14 February 1945
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
New York, NY, USA | 9 April 1920 | New York City, NY, USA. |
|
Enlisted |
New York, NY, USA | 8 June 1941 | Enlisted New York City, NY,USA. 8-6-41. |
|
Other Failed to Return |
Merseburg, Germany | 14 February 1945 | On escorted recon mission to photograph oil refineries at Leipzig/Dresden, was hit by AA and lost engine on fourth run at 10,000ft, bailed out and taken POW, escort was from 362nd FG. 14-2-45. MACR 12324. |
|
Other Prisoner Of War POW |
Stalag Luft II, Zagan, Poland | 14 February 1945 | Prisoner Of War. Stalag Luft III. |
|
Died |
Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, USA | 21 March 2003 | March 21, 2003, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, USA. |
|
Buried |
United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80841, USA | USAF Academy Cemetery Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, USA. | |
|
Other Pilot Training RCAF |
Canada | Entered pilot training in the RCAF. | |
|
Other Commissioned P/O |
Commissioned pilot officer, equivalent to 2nd Lieutenant. | ||
|
Other Graduated |
Canada | Graduated, navigator rating from RCAF Astro Navigation School. | |
|
Other Assigned |
Royal Air Force Station, Benson, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 6AB, UK | Assigned to the 541 Sqn RAF a Photo Recon Squadron at RAF Benson. | |
|
Other Transferred to USAAF |
Transferred to USAAF September 1943, assigned to 14th PRS, 7th PRG, 8th AF. | ||
|
Other Assumed command |
In 1944 Dixon assumed command of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group. |
Revisions
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmsn.asp?SN=PL866&Submit6=Go MACR barebones.
http://www.fold3.com/image/28678827/ MACR Details.
http://www.ww2pow.info/index.php?page=directory&rec=59696 POW Info.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_J._Dixon Biographic Detail.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8609613 Burial Detail.
7th Photo Recon Group Master Directory, 6 June 1996/Spouse / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia
