US Air Force General. After completing high school, he graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, in June 1941 with a bachelor of arts degree in literature. He then entered pilot training with the Royal Canadian Air Force and in November 1942 he was commissioned a pilot officer (second lieutenant). He attended the Royal Canadian Air Force Astro Navigation School, graduating with a navigation rating. He was sent to Dyce, Scotland, where he completed Spitfire training and was assigned to the 541st Squadron Royal Air Force, a Photo Reconnaissance Squadron at Royal Air Force Benson, England. In September 1943, he transferred to the US Army Air Force and was assigned to the 7th Photographic Group, 8th Air Force, European Theater of Operations, and in 1944, he assumed command of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group. He flew 65 missions in four different aircraft for a total of 235 combat flying hours. He was shot down while flying reconnaissance over the oil refinery at Merseberg, Germany, was captured and remained a prisoner of war until he was released by US Forces in May 1945. He was hospitalized and after his release, he performed duty at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Rapid City, South Dakota. In 1947, he became an instructor at the West Point Preparatory School, West Point, New York, and was then assigned as a group and wing personnel officer for the 82nd Fighter Wing, Grenier Field, New Hampshire (now closed). From November 1948 to November 1953, he served in the Directorate of Personnel, Headquarters Strategic Air Command. He was then sent to Korea for 11 months where he served as the inspector for the 4th Interceptor-Fighter Wing and then as commander of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying 28 combat missions before the end of the Korean War. After his Korean tour was completed, he returned to the United States and was assigned to Headquarters Air Force, Washington DC, and served as the assistant to the deputy chief of staff, plans and programs, for National Security Council affairs. In 1959, he graduated from the Air War College and was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Paris, France, as a staff missile planner. In 1962, he returned to the United States and was assigned to Headquarters Air Force as the assistant deputy director for war plans and later as the assistant for joint and National Security Council matters, deputy chief of staff, plans and operations, where he served as the Air Force planner for Joint Chiefs of Staff matters. In September 1965, he was assigned to the 45th Air Division, Strategic Air Command, at Loring Air Force Base, Maine (now closed), as division commander with the B-52 and KC-135 aircraft units in that region. In July 1967, he was assigned to the US Air Force Military Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, as the assistant deputy chief of staff for military personnel, and commander. While in this assignment, he received the 1969 Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award. In July 1969, he transferred to the Republic of Viet Nam as the vice commander, 7th Air Force, flying 36 combat missions during this assignment. He was promoted to lieutenant general on August 1, 1970 and was sent back to Headquarters Air Force where he was the deputy chief of staff for personnel. On October 1, 1973, he was promoted to the rank of general and was assigned the commander in chief of Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, retiring from that position on May 1, 1978, with 35 years of continued active military service in the US Army Air Corps and the Air Force. He was a command pilot with over 6,000 flying hours. Among his military and foreign decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, the British Distinguished Flying Cross, and the French Croix d'Officer de la Legion d'honneur.
Distinguished Service Cross AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING World War II Service: Army Air Forces Battalion: 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Division: 8th Air Force GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 134 (October 14, 1945)
CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Robert James Dixon (ASN: 0-886100), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Pilot of a Spitfire aircraft of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group, EIGHTH Air Force, photographing heavily defended oil refineries as Merseburg, Germany, on 14 February 1945. Captain Dixon went down alone below the clouds to 15,000 feet where his single engine aircraft was hit by flak and set on fire. Completely disregarding his personal safety, Captain Dixon stayed with the smoking aircraft and despite the eminent danger of explosion, radioed important observations to his fighter cover. Captain Dixon remained with the critically damaged aircraft until he was able to give his fighter escort a corrected flight course to home base, then bailed out. By this heroic act, the military operation was successfully accomplished, changing the priority of a vitally important target, thereby saving the lives of allied airmen. Captain Dixon's heroism and his determination to complete this mission in complete disregard of the odds against him exemplifies the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.
US Air Force General. After completing high school, he graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, in June 1941 with a bachelor of arts degree in literature. He then entered pilot training with the Royal Canadian Air Force and in November 1942 he was commissioned a pilot officer (second lieutenant). He attended the Royal Canadian Air Force Astro Navigation School, graduating with a navigation rating. He was sent to Dyce, Scotland, where he completed Spitfire training and was assigned to the 541st Squadron Royal Air Force, a Photo Reconnaissance Squadron at Royal Air Force Benson, England. In September 1943, he transferred to the US Army Air Force and was assigned to the 7th Photographic Group, 8th Air Force, European Theater of Operations, and in 1944, he assumed command of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group. He flew 65 missions in four different aircraft for a total of 235 combat flying hours. He was shot down while flying reconnaissance over the oil refinery at Merseberg, Germany, was captured and remained a prisoner of war until he was released by US Forces in May 1945. He was hospitalized and after his release, he performed duty at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Rapid City, South Dakota. In 1947, he became an instructor at the West Point Preparatory School, West Point, New York, and was then assigned as a group and wing personnel officer for the 82nd Fighter Wing, Grenier Field, New Hampshire (now closed). From November 1948 to November 1953, he served in the Directorate of Personnel, Headquarters Strategic Air Command. He was then sent to Korea for 11 months where he served as the inspector for the 4th Interceptor-Fighter Wing and then as commander of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying 28 combat missions before the end of the Korean War. After his Korean tour was completed, he returned to the United States and was assigned to Headquarters Air Force, Washington DC, and served as the assistant to the deputy chief of staff, plans and programs, for National Security Council affairs. In 1959, he graduated from the Air War College and was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Paris, France, as a staff missile planner. In 1962, he returned to the United States and was assigned to Headquarters Air Force as the assistant deputy director for war plans and later as the assistant for joint and National Security Council matters, deputy chief of staff, plans and operations, where he served as the Air Force planner for Joint Chiefs of Staff matters. In September 1965, he was assigned to the 45th Air Division, Strategic Air Command, at Loring Air Force Base, Maine (now closed), as division commander with the B-52 and KC-135 aircraft units in that region. In July 1967, he was assigned to the US Air Force Military Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, as the assistant deputy chief of staff for military personnel, and commander. While in this assignment, he received the 1969 Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award. In July 1969, he transferred to the Republic of Viet Nam as the vice commander, 7th Air Force, flying 36 combat missions during this assignment. He was promoted to lieutenant general on August 1, 1970 and was sent back to Headquarters Air Force where he was the deputy chief of staff for personnel. On October 1, 1973, he was promoted to the rank of general and was assigned the commander in chief of Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, retiring from that position on May 1, 1978, with 35 years of continued active military service in the US Army Air Corps and the Air Force. He was a command pilot with over 6,000 flying hours. Among his military and foreign decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, the British Distinguished Flying Cross, and the French Croix d'Officer de la Legion d'honneur.
Distinguished Service Cross AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING World War II Service: Army Air Forces Battalion: 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Division: 8th Air Force GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 134 (October 14, 1945)
CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Robert James Dixon (ASN: 0-886100), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Pilot of a Spitfire aircraft of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group, EIGHTH Air Force, photographing heavily defended oil refineries as Merseburg, Germany, on 14 February 1945. Captain Dixon went down alone below the clouds to 15,000 feet where his single engine aircraft was hit by flak and set on fire. Completely disregarding his personal safety, Captain Dixon stayed with the smoking aircraft and despite the eminent danger of explosion, radioed important observations to his fighter cover. Captain Dixon remained with the critically damaged aircraft until he was able to give his fighter escort a corrected flight course to home base, then bailed out. By this heroic act, the military operation was successfully accomplished, changing the priority of a vitally important target, thereby saving the lives of allied airmen. Captain Dixon's heroism and his determination to complete this mission in complete disregard of the odds against him exemplifies the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8609613/robert_james-dixon: accessed
), memorial page for GEN Robert James Dixon (9 Apr 1920–21 Mar 2003), Find a Grave Memorial ID 8609613, citing United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, Colorado Springs,
El Paso County,
Colorado,
USA;
Maintained by Paula and Dale (contributor 46489742).
Add Photos for GEN Robert James Dixon
Fulfill Photo Request for GEN Robert James Dixon
Photo Request Fulfilled
Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request
There is an open photo request for this memorial
Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request?
Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s).
Oops, something didn't work. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again.
Make sure that the file is a photo. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced.
All photos uploaded successfully, click on the <b>Done button</b> to see the photos in the gallery.
General photo guidelines:
Photos larger than 8.0 MB will be optimized and reduced.
Each contributor can upload a maximum of 5 photos for a memorial.
A memorial can have a maximum of 20 photos from all contributors.
The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional 10 photos (for a total of 30 on the memorial).
Include gps location with grave photos where possible.
No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments.)
You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial.
Memorial Photos
This is a carousel with slides. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel.
Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried.
Show Map
If the memorial includes GPS coordinates, simply click 'Show Map' to view the gravesite location within the cemetery. If no GPS coordinates are available, you can contribute by adding them if you know the precise location.
Photos
For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab.
Photos Tab
All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer.
Flowers
Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button.
Family Members
Family members linked to this person will appear here.
Related searches
Use the links under See more… to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc.
Sponsor This Memorial
Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option.
Share
Share this memorial using social media sites or email.
Save to
Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print.
Edit or Suggest Edit
Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager.
Have Feedback
Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you.
You may not upload any more photos to this memorial
"Unsupported file type"
Uploading...
Waiting...
Success
Failed
This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has photos
This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded photos to this memorial
This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has photos
This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded photos to this memorial
Invalid File Type
Uploading 1 Photo
Uploading 2 Photos
1 Photo Uploaded
2 Photos Uploaded
Added by
GREAT NEWS! There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery.
Sorry! There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request.
Enter numeric value
Enter memorial Id
Year should not be greater than current year
Invalid memorial
Duplicate entry for memorial
You have chosen this person to be their own family member.
Reported!
This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates.
0% Complete
Saved
Sign in or Register
Sign in to Find a Grave
Sign-in to link to existing account
There is a problem with your email/password.
There is a problem with your email/password.
There is a problem with your email/password.
We encountered an unknown problem. Please wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem persists contact Find a Grave.
We’ve updated the security on the site. Please reset your password.
Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Please contact Find a Grave at [email protected] if you need help resetting your password.
This account has been disabled. If you have questions, please contact [email protected]
This account has been disabled. If you have questions, please contact [email protected]
Email not found
Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person.
Sign in to your existing Find a Grave account. You’ll only have to do this once—after your accounts are connected, you can sign in using your Ancestry sign in or your Find a Grave sign in.
We found an existing Find a Grave account associated with your email address. Sign in below with your Find a Grave credentials to link your Ancestry account. After your accounts are connected you can sign in using either account.
Please enter your email to sign in.
Please enter your password to sign in.
Please enter your email and password to sign in.
There is a problem with your email/password.
A system error has occurred. Please try again later.
A password reset email has been sent to EmailID. If you don't see an email, please check your spam folder.
We encountered an unknown problem. Please wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem persists contact Find a Grave.
Password Reset
Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code.
Registration Options
Welcome to Find a Grave
Create your free account by choosing an option below.
or
Ancestry account link
To create your account, Ancestry will share your name and email address with Find a Grave. To continue choose an option below.
or
If you already have a Find a Grave account, please sign in to link to Ancestry®.
New Member Registration
Email is mandatory
Email and Password are mandatory
This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Resend Activation Email
Your password is not strong enough
Invalid Email
You must agree to Terms and Conditions
Account already exists
Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox
Internal Server error occurred
If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map
You must select an email preference
We have sent you an activation email
Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters.
We just emailed an activation code to
Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account.
cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list.
cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list.
cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list.
Within 5 miles of your location.
Within 5 kilometers of your location.
0 cemeteries found in .
0 cemeteries found.
Add a cemetery to fulfill photo requests
You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below.
Search above to list available cemeteries.
Getting location…
Loading...
Loading...
No cemeteries found
Find a Grave Video Tutorials
Default Language
Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [email protected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Thanks for your help!
Preferred Language
We have set your language to based on information from your browser.