The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Clarence Earle Dickinson, Jr., United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety, while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron SIX (VS-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Returning to Oahu in a Scouting Plane, Lieutenant Dickinson and his gunner were engaged by a superior number of Japanese aircraft. Although the latter was killed, Lieutenant Dickinson continued to engage the enemy until his plane was forced down in flames. He escaped by parachute, landed near Ewa Airfield, and proceeded to the naval air station, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Here he was immediately assigned to a 175 mile aerial search operations at sea, his recent ordeal not having been reported to his superiors. Lieutenant Dickinson’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Clarence Earle Dickinson, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane and Executive Officer of Scouting Squadron SIX (VS-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 – 6 June 1942. Participating in a devastating assault against a Japanese invasion fleet, Lieutenant Dickinson, with fortitude and resolute devotion to duty, pressed home his attacks in the face of a formidable barrage of anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition. His gallant perseverance and utter disregard for his own personal safety were important contributing factors to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Clarence Earle Dickinson, Jr., United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety, while serving as Flight Officer and a Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron SIX (VS-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action near Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 10 December 1942. While searching for an enemy submarine reported nearby, Lieutenant Dickinson sighted a submarine on the surface and dove through a hail of anti-aircraft fire to attack the vessel and dropped a bomb. The submarine went down in a manner that indicated it had been damaged, or possibly destroyed. There was no evidence of a dive, such as a propeller wake, while a large bubble of oil and air came to the surface. Lieutenant Dickinson’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.