More detail on this person: A Salute to Robert
Gene Dawson "Dragon 33" Chief Warrant Officer II
in the 334th Armed Helicopter Company, 145th
Combat Aviation Battalion. Bob was in class
number WORWAC 67-5 Department of the Army
Aviation School Fort Rucker, Alabama in January
1967. Bob's medals included Distinguished Flying
Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf
Clusters and the Silver Star.
Chief Warrant Officer Dawson distinguished himself
while serving as aircraft commander of the
command ship and fire team leader of a light fire
team on a combat operation. His team was directed
to provide illumination and additional air cover
at the site of a downed aircraft. Two crew members
of the downed ship were stranded while trying to
recover the aircrafts armament systems. Due to the
intense enemy fire, all attempts to rescue them
had been unsuccessful. Warrant Office Dawson
volunteered to attempt the rescue. While
approaching the disabled craft he was caught in a
cross fire from automatic weapons. With little
illumination and with automatic weapon fire
completely surrounding him, he held his position
until the crew members were safely aboard the
aircraft. His outstanding flying ability and
superb display of professionalism saved the lives
of two men. WO Dawson is totally familiar with
combat employment of lift helicopters. WO
Dawson is considered an expert in regard to armed
helicopter tactics and techniques. He has flown
over 500 combat flight hours in gunships and
considerable amount of his time has been after
darkness in command of the firefly mission.
Bob was also a Kentucky Colonel, Mason member
of the Blue Lodge, Life member of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, American Legion member, and
member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot
Association, Florida member. Bob maintained his
commercial pilot license airplane single and
multiengine land and instrument airplane rotor
craft - helicopter.
Bob passed away November 3, 2011 in Hudson
Florida. He will be buried in Arlington National
Cemetery on February 21, 2012 with full military
honors. Survived by his wife Chris; five sons,
Ron, Matt, Bob, Jim and Brian; two daughter in
laws, Andrea, Michelle; six grandchildren Emily,
David, Daniel, Madison, Amanda, Ashley; and
brother John. Bob was born June 8, 1944 in Detroit
Michigan.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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