John Cecil Dickerson is the first of two sons born to Rhea Mae Freeman and Cecil Charley Dickerson. John and his little brother, David were raised around horses and a large extended family.
John graduated from Provo High School in 1957 and joined the US Army. His first trip to Viet Nam was in September of 1962. After more than two years he went to Fort Riley, then returned for another two years to Viet Nam. He was a gunner on a helicopter. John was determined to make a difference and improve things. He designed a rotating system for the helicopter guns so the gun could be aimed instead of having to aim the helicopter to shoot.(the flexgun system) The army picked up his designs and improved the standard for all helicopter guns. John completed more than 1600 missions and was shot down six times while in Viet Nam. Once he was presumed dead but recovered from head wounds and went back to work after a few weeks. He holds a purple heart with three clusters, the Silver Star, The Bronze Star with a V for valor, two distinguished flying crosses, 51 air medals, a Presidential Citation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. (SPS U.S. Army Vietnam)
John had planned a career in the Army but changed his mind after his last tour in Viet Nam, stating he would rather be his own boss.
Sadly his life was cut short and he returned to his eternal home after an accidental gunshot wound.
John graduated from Provo High School in 1957 and joined the US Army. His first trip to Viet Nam was in September of 1962. After more than two years he went to Fort Riley, then returned for another two years to Viet Nam. He was a gunner on a helicopter. John was determined to make a difference and improve things. He designed a rotating system for the helicopter guns so the gun could be aimed instead of having to aim the helicopter to shoot.(the flexgun system) The army picked up his designs and improved the standard for all helicopter guns. John completed more than 1600 missions and was shot down six times while in Viet Nam. Once he was presumed dead but recovered from head wounds and went back to work after a few weeks. He holds a purple heart with three clusters, the Silver Star, The Bronze Star with a V for valor, two distinguished flying crosses, 51 air medals, a Presidential Citation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. (SPS U.S. Army Vietnam)
John had planned a career in the Army but changed his mind after his last tour in Viet Nam, stating he would rather be his own boss.
Sadly his life was cut short and he returned to his eternal home after an accidental gunshot wound.
John Cecil Dickerson is the first of two sons born to Rhea Mae Freeman and Cecil Charley Dickerson. John and his little brother, David were raised around horses and a large extended family.
John graduated from Provo High School in 1957 and joined the US Army. His first trip to Viet Nam was in September of 1962. After more than two years he went to Fort Riley, then returned for another two years to Viet Nam. He was a gunner on a helicopter. John was determined to make a difference and improve things. He designed a rotating system for the helicopter guns so the gun could be aimed instead of having to aim the helicopter to shoot.(the flexgun system) The army picked up his designs and improved the standard for all helicopter guns. John completed more than 1600 missions and was shot down six times while in Viet Nam. Once he was presumed dead but recovered from head wounds and went back to work after a few weeks. He holds a purple heart with three clusters, the Silver Star, The Bronze Star with a V for valor, two distinguished flying crosses, 51 air medals, a Presidential Citation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. (SPS U.S. Army Vietnam)
John had planned a career in the Army but changed his mind after his last tour in Viet Nam, stating he would rather be his own boss.
Sadly his life was cut short and he returned to his eternal home after an accidental gunshot wound.
John graduated from Provo High School in 1957 and joined the US Army. His first trip to Viet Nam was in September of 1962. After more than two years he went to Fort Riley, then returned for another two years to Viet Nam. He was a gunner on a helicopter. John was determined to make a difference and improve things. He designed a rotating system for the helicopter guns so the gun could be aimed instead of having to aim the helicopter to shoot.(the flexgun system) The army picked up his designs and improved the standard for all helicopter guns. John completed more than 1600 missions and was shot down six times while in Viet Nam. Once he was presumed dead but recovered from head wounds and went back to work after a few weeks. He holds a purple heart with three clusters, the Silver Star, The Bronze Star with a V for valor, two distinguished flying crosses, 51 air medals, a Presidential Citation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. (SPS U.S. Army Vietnam)
John had planned a career in the Army but changed his mind after his last tour in Viet Nam, stating he would rather be his own boss.
Sadly his life was cut short and he returned to his eternal home after an accidental gunshot wound.
Inscription
SPS U.S. Army Vietnam
Spouse: Virginia Ruth b 3 Nov 1940
LtJg US Navy, Nurse Corp
