Robert Dickson served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a Second Lieutenant Pilot in the 111th Reconnaissance Fighter Squadron in World War II. A pilot of a reconnaissance plane and veteran of the African, Sicilian and Italian campaigns, Lieutenant Dickson was killed in action during the Allied invasion of Italy on September 19, 1943. He was decorated for meritorious performance of duty in action, and was awarded an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart.