Robert James Dixon (b. 1920, New York, N.Y.-d. March 21, 2003), U.S. Air Force officer, began his military career after graduating from college in 1941 when he entered pilot training in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After completing Spitfire training in Scotland, he was assigned to the RAF's Photo Reconnaissance Squadron in England. In 1943 he was transferred to the U.S. Army Air Forces and flew in four different aircraft for a total of 235 combat flying hours in 65 missions. He was shot down and captured during a reconnaissance mission of the oil refinery at Merseburg, Germany, and remained a POW until May 1945. Later General Dixon was assigned to Headquarters, Strategic Air Command, followed by a year in Korea as commander of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, completing 28 combat missions. During the 1950s and 1960s he served in a variety of posts including as Air Force action officer with the Joint Chiefs, the State Department, and the National Security Council; as staff missile planner at Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe in France; and commander, U.S. Air Force Military Personnel Center. In 1969 he was vice commander, 7th Air Force, in Vietnam, flying 36 more combat missions. In 1973 General Dixon became commander of the Tactical Air Command, and this highly-decorated officer retired in May 1978.
From the description of Dixon, Robert J. (Robert James), 1920-2003 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10597182
