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: 08/31/2024
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