Robert E. Dixon

Robert Dixon in 1957

Robert Ellington Dixon (April 22, 1906 – October 21, 1981) was a United States Navy admiral and aviator, whose radio message "Scratch one flat top" during the Battle of the Coral Sea became quickly famous, as his unit of dive bombers contributed to the first sinking of a Japanese aircraft carrier in the Pacific theater of the Second World War. Dixon would go on to serve on four other carriers during the war and commanded USS Valley Forge during the Korean War. Dixon was a 1927 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy. He was awarded two Navy Crosses. The first was for awarded for scouting operations against Japanese forces over Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea in March 1942. The citation states:

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.

The second Navy Cross was awarded for his success in the Battle of the Coral Sea. That citation states:

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.

He also received three Legions of Merit: (1) for air strikes against the Buka-Bonis area, Bougainville, and at Rabaul in November 1943; (2) as commanding officer of the USS Valley Forge from January to June 1953; and (3) for services as Chief, Bureau of Aeronautics from July 1957 to November 1959.

Promoted to rear admiral on July 1, 1955, Dixon served as Assistant Chief for Plans and Programs at the Bureau of Aeronautics. As Assistant Chief, he was responsible for all development work on the new McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II jet fighter. Dixon later served as Chief of the Bureau from July 1957 to November 1959.