Clarence E. Dickinson, Jr.’s THIRD Navy Cross citation
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to
Clarence Earle Dickinson, Jr.
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane and Executive Officer of Scouting Squadron SIX (VS-6), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 – 6 June 1942. Participating in a devastating assault against a Japanese invasion fleet, Lieutenant Dickinson, with fortitude and resolute devotion to duty, pressed home his attacks in the face of a formidable barrage of anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition. His gallant perseverance and utter disregard for his own personal safety were important contributing factors to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Born: Dec, 1, 1912 in Jacksonville, Fla…. Home of record: Raleigh, N.C…. U.S Naval Academy graduate, Class of ’34… Earned his first Navy Cross during the Pearl Harbor attack and earned another three days later… Is the first-ever three-time recipient of the Navy Cross… Retired as a rear admiral… Departed: Oct. 4, 1984… Interred: National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu