Robert J. Dixon
Encyclopedia
Robert James Dixon was a United States Air Force
four-star general who served as Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC) from 1973 to 1978. He also served simultaneously as commander in chief of U.S. Air Forces for both the Atlantic and U.S. Readiness commands.
in June 1941 with a bachelor of arts degree in literature. In 1941 he entered pilot training in the Royal Canadian Air Force
and in November 1942 was commissioned a pilot officer
(second 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 Squadron Royal Air Force
a Photo Reconnaissance Squadron at RAF Benson
, England.
In September 1943 Dixon was transferred to the U.S. Army Air Forces and assigned to the 7th Photographic Group, Eighth Air Force, European Theater of Operations. In 1944 Dixon assumed command of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group, which had Mark XI Spitfires, P-38s and P-51s.
He flew missions in four different aircraft for a total of 235 combat flying hours in 65 missions. He was shot down by flak while doing reconnaissance of the oil refinery at Merseburg, Germany. He was captured and remained a prisoner of war until released by U.S. Forces in May 1945.
After hospitalization, Dixon served at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Rapid City, South Dakota. He was an instructor at the West Point Preparatory School in 1947 and then was assigned as group and wing personnel officer for the 82d Fighter Wing, Grenier Field, New Hampshire.
From November 1948 to 1953, Dixon served in the Directorate of Personnel, Headquarters Strategic Air Command. He next served 11 months in Korea with the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing as wing inspector and then as commander of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. He completed 28 combat missions before the Korean armistice.
Dixon returned to the United States in 1954. He was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force and subsequently served as assistant to the deputy chief of staff, plans and operations, for National Security Council affairs. In this capacity he was Air Force action officer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the State Department and the National Security Council.
He graduated from the Air War College in 1959 and was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Paris, France, as staff missile planner. Reassigned to the Pentagon in 1962, he served as assistant deputy director for war plans and later as assistant for joint and National Security Council matters, deputy chief of staff, plans and operations. In this latter capacity, Dixon was the Air Force planner for Joint Chiefs of Staff matters.
In September 1965 Dixon was assigned to the 45th Air Division, Strategic Air Command, at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, as division commander with B-52/KC-135 units at Loring and Dow Air Force bases, Harmon and Goose air bases. From July 1967 until July 1969, he was assigned as assistant deputy chief of staff, personnel for military personnel, and commander, U.S. Air Force Military Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. While in this assignment, he received the 1969 Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award.
In July 1969 Dixon was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam as vice commander, Seventh Air Force. He flew 36 combat missions during this tour in Southeast Asia. On August 1, 1970, he was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed the duties of deputy chief of staff, personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. He served in that position until October 1, 1973, at which time he was promoted to general and assumed command of Tactical Air Command.
Dixon retired from the military on May 1, 1978 and died on March 21, 2003.
, Distinguished Service Medal
with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit
with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross
, Bronze Star
, Air Medal
with 11 oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart
, British Distinguished Flying Cross and French Croix d'Officier de la Légion d'honneur.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
four-star general who served as Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC) from 1973 to 1978. He also served simultaneously as commander in chief of U.S. Air Forces for both the Atlantic and U.S. Readiness commands.
Biography
Dixon was born in New York City in 1920. He graduated from Dartmouth CollegeDartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
in June 1941 with a bachelor of arts degree in literature. In 1941 he entered pilot training in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
and in November 1942 was commissioned a pilot officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
(second 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 Squadron Royal Air Force
No. 541 Squadron RAF
No. 541 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as a photographic reconnaissance squadron in World War II.-Formation in World War II:The squadron formed at RAF Benson on 19 October 1942 and was equipped with Spitfires to fly missions over Europe...
a Photo Reconnaissance Squadron at RAF Benson
RAF Benson
RAF Benson is a Royal Air Force station near Benson in South Oxfordshire, England. It is home to the Royal Air Force's support helicopters, the Aérospatiale Puma and the EH-101 Merlin, known as the Puma HC.Mk 1 and the Merlin HC.Mk 3 and Mk 3a....
, England.
In September 1943 Dixon was transferred to the U.S. Army Air Forces and assigned to the 7th Photographic Group, Eighth Air Force, European Theater of Operations. In 1944 Dixon assumed command of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group, which had Mark XI Spitfires, P-38s and P-51s.
He flew missions in four different aircraft for a total of 235 combat flying hours in 65 missions. He was shot down by flak while doing reconnaissance of the oil refinery at Merseburg, Germany. He was captured and remained a prisoner of war until released by U.S. Forces in May 1945.
After hospitalization, Dixon served at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Rapid City, South Dakota. He was an instructor at the West Point Preparatory School in 1947 and then was assigned as group and wing personnel officer for the 82d Fighter Wing, Grenier Field, New Hampshire.
From November 1948 to 1953, Dixon served in the Directorate of Personnel, Headquarters Strategic Air Command. He next served 11 months in Korea with the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing as wing inspector and then as commander of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. He completed 28 combat missions before the Korean armistice.
Dixon returned to the United States in 1954. He was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force and subsequently served as assistant to the deputy chief of staff, plans and operations, for National Security Council affairs. In this capacity he was Air Force action officer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the State Department and the National Security Council.
He graduated from the Air War College in 1959 and was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Paris, France, as staff missile planner. Reassigned to the Pentagon in 1962, he served as assistant deputy director for war plans and later as assistant for joint and National Security Council matters, deputy chief of staff, plans and operations. In this latter capacity, Dixon was the Air Force planner for Joint Chiefs of Staff matters.
In September 1965 Dixon was assigned to the 45th Air Division, Strategic Air Command, at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, as division commander with B-52/KC-135 units at Loring and Dow Air Force bases, Harmon and Goose air bases. From July 1967 until July 1969, he was assigned as assistant deputy chief of staff, personnel for military personnel, and commander, U.S. Air Force Military Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. While in this assignment, he received the 1969 Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award.
In July 1969 Dixon was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam as vice commander, Seventh Air Force. He flew 36 combat missions during this tour in Southeast Asia. On August 1, 1970, he was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed the duties of deputy chief of staff, personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. He served in that position until October 1, 1973, at which time he was promoted to general and assumed command of Tactical Air Command.
Dixon retired from the military on May 1, 1978 and died on March 21, 2003.
Awards and decorations
He was a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with 11 oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, British Distinguished Flying Cross and French Croix d'Officier de la Légion d'honneur.
Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalThe Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
with two oak leaf clusters
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with 11 oak leaf clusters
British Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
Legion of Honor