Dewey Erickson served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a First Lieutenant in Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, 5th Marine Division during World War II. He was killed in action on March 14, 1945 in the Iwo Jima Volcano Islands. He was awarded the Silver Star.
Silver Star Citation: After crossing a fire lane covered by heavy sniper and machine-gun fire as he was leading his platoon forward to fill a gap between two assault battalions, Second Lieutenant Erickson halted to encourage the members of his unit in their attempt to negotiate the hazardous crossing. When his runner was wounded by a burst of enemy fire as he started across the opening and fell to the ground in the open fire lane, Second Lieutenant Erickson immediately braved the withering machine-gun fire, and ran to his runner's side, took him in his arms and started to carry him to a covered position where he could administer first aid. Mortally wounded by another burst of enemy fire as he moved across the opening with the wounded man, he fought to remain conscious until he had successfully carried his runner to safety before he himself collapsed and died as a result of his wounds.
