Harlan Dickson
| Harlan Rockey Dickson | |
|---|---|
 Lieutenant Commander Harlan R. Dickson (right) with Lieutenant Commander John L. Nielsen, both members of U.S. Navy dive bomber Squadron 5 in the early months of World War II, at the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C. ca. July 1943. | |
| Born |
September 16, 1914 Columbus, Ohio |
| Died |
February 5, 1944 Pacific Ocean off California |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | ?-1944 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Unit | Dive bomber Squadron 5 |
| Battles/wars |
World War II *Battle of the Coral Sea *Battle of Midway |
| Awards | Navy Cross (two awards) |
Harlan Rockey Dickson (about 1920 – 5 February 1944) was an officer in the United States Navy who was decorated for valor during World War II.
Dickson was a member of aircraft carrier USS Yorktown's (CV-5) famed dive bomber Squadron 5. He twice received the Navy Cross for his outstanding courage and combat flying, first at Tulagi in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942 and again at the pivotal Battle of Midway in June 1942.
Lieutenant Commander Dickson crashed and was killed off the California coast on 5 February 1944.
Namesake
The destroyer USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708), in commission from 1945 to 1972, was named for him.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.