Roy F. Dickson (1910 — 2001) was born on November 24, 1910, to William and Ida (Pinnow) Dickson in rural Spring Grove Township. On May 15, 1936, Roy married Anne Schild at the Immanuel Evangelical Church in Monroe.

Roy entered the United States Navy in January 1944. Dickson was 33 years old and married with three children when he was drafted into the service. Roy was assigned to United States Naval ship, the USS LST (Landing Ship, Tanks) 623 in the South Pacific. “Most of the other guys on the ship were in their early 20s,” he recalled.

On the ship Dickson served as a gunner and at various times was a cook, a baker, and ship’s painter. The naval craft participated in five invasions of the Philippines, including the first against the Philippine islands. The USS LST 623 carried tanks and equipment and hauled troops often numbering over 1,000 men to various South Pacific destinations. “Our ship was 328 feet long and 54 feet wide, with a regular crew of 123 men and 24 officers. We were like a family,” Dickson remembers. The ship was on its way to China with a troop of US Marines when the war ended. Dickson was discharged from the service on his birthday, Nov.24, 1945. Roy Dickson was awarded the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon also with two Bronze Stars.

Roy returned to Green County, settling in Monticello where he and Anne raised their 6 children. He was a member of the Monticello American Legion Post 256 and a former member of the Pearl City American Legion. He was a member of the Zwingli United Church of Christ. Roy enjoyed being part of the annual chicken barbecue sponsored by the Community Club. Roy owned and operated Dickson Painting for many years.

Photos and excerpts are from “To You Who Answered the Call, The Monticello Drizzle Photo Supplement” a publication by the Monticello Area Historical Society. www.monticellohistoricalsociety.org