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Robert
Ellington
Dixon
April 22, 1906

–

October 21, 1981

Robert Dixon graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1927. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    U.S.S. Valley Forge (CV-45)

    Action Date:

    January 2 – June 5, 1953
    All Hands (June 1954)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Robert Ellington Dixon, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of U.S.S. VALLEY FORGE (CV-45), from 2 January to 5 June 1953. (Captain Dixon is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Scouting Squadron 2 (VS-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)

    Action Date:

    May 7 & 8, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 307 (October 1942)

    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 Commander Robert Ellington Dixon, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane and Commanding Officer of Scouting Squadron TWO (VS-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. With an enemy aircraft carrier as the objective, on 7 May Lieutenant Commander Dixon led his squadron on a determined dive bombing attack in which he dived to a low altitude and, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition, dropped his bomb on the deck of a carrier, thereby aiding in the total destruction of that vessel. On 8 May, having sighted a vastly superior enemy Japanese air force, he remained on station to report its movement and disposition to his squadron, then engaged in search operations. These scouting and bombing missions so courageously undertaken and skillfully executed by Lieutenant Commander Dixon and the units of the squadron under his command, were distinctive contributions to the ultimate victory attained by our forces. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Action Date:

    November 1 – 11, 1943
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 336 (March 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Robert Ellington Dixon, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Operations Officer on the staff of a task force commander during air strikes against the Buka-Bonis area, Bougainville, 1 – 2 November and at Rabaul 5 and 11 November 1943. Commander Ellington’s planning and knowledge of air and task force operations contributed materially to destruction of important enemy air bases, severe damage to many hostile combat ships and demolishing of numerous enemy aircraft.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    July 1957 – November 1959
    All Hands (March 1961)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Robert Ellington Dixon, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Bureau of Aeronautics, Washington, D.C., from July 1957 to November 1959. Exercising sound professional judgment and dynamic leadership, Rear Admiral Dixon rendered distinguished service throughout this period, contributing significantly to the development, procurement, readiness, and availability of naval aircraft and weapons systems. Vigorous and articulate in support of the merger of the Bureau of Aeronautics and the Bureau of Ordnance into the Bureau of Naval Weapons, he actively participated in the initial planning phase.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Scouting Squadron 2 (VS-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)

    Action Date:

    March 10, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Ellington Dixon, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane and Commanding Officer of Scouting Squadron TWO (VS-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea on 10 March 1942. Lieutenant Commander Dixon led his squadron 125 miles over uncharted mountains and jungles, to press home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined bombing attack on enemy ships, sinking three of them. Lieutenant Commander Dixon’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.