Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good and well-documented ‘Korea’ D.F.C., Soldier’s Medal and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster group of fourteen awarded to Mustang pilot, Lieutenant Colonel D. C. Dishon, United States Air Force, who served with the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and was shot down on two separate occasions - successfully bailing out during the first, and being taken prisoner of war as a consequence of the second. Dishon also survived crash landing his F-84F Thunderstreak turbojet fighter-bomber whilst stationed in England in May 1955

United States of America, Distinguished Flying Cross, unnamed; Soldier’s Medal, reverse engraved ‘Donald C. Dishon’; Purple Heart, reverse engraved ‘Donald C. Dishon’; Air Medal, with Oak Leaf Cluster, reverse engraved ‘Donald C. Dishon’; Prisoner of War Medal, reverse engraved ‘Donald C. Dishon’; Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, reverse engraved ‘Donald C. Dishon’; Army Good Conduct Medal, unnamed; American Campaign Medal; Victory Medal 1945; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal, with 4 Service Stars; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Korea, Republic, Order of Military Merit, Chungmoo Medal Third Class, metal and enamel, officially numbered 971 and the reverse engraved ‘Lt. D. C. Dishon 4-Feb-’52’; U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, mounted for display in a glazed frame, some loose, generally very fine (lot) £600-£800

United States of America Distinguished Flying Cross, the citation states:

‘First Lieutenant Donald C. Dishon displayed extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, on 3 January 1952, as a flight leader of two F-51 type aircraft on a visual, armed reconnaissance mission. First Lieutenant Dishon located six camouflaged tank revetments. He led a flight of fighter bombers on this target in the face of heavy automatic weapons fire, destroying two positions, damaging two others, and causing unknown number of enemy casualties. Continuing his reconnaissance, First Lieutenant Dishon intercepted a distress call and immediately located a downed pilot behind enemy lines. Making numerous passes on at least fifteen enemy troops who were moving toward the airman, he aggressively flew protective cover until relieved. As a result of this mission the enemy’s potential was diminished and a friendly pilot was returned to safety. By his courage and devotion to duty First Lieutenant Dishon has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.’

United States of America Air Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster, the citation states:

‘First Lieutenant Donald C. Dishon distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot, over enemy held territory, in the air offensive of the United Nations. Lieutenant Dishon is cited for meritorious achievement for the period 27 November 1951 to 15 January 1952. By his courage, fortitude and ability upon these occasions, Lieutenant Dishon has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.’

Donald C. Dishon was born in Louisville, Kentucky in June 1925. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in February 1943, and undertook pilot training. Dishon was commissioned First Lieutenant in March 1945, and was posted for service in Korea as a pilot with the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Mustangs), as part of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, in October 1951. He was shot down twice by ground fire. On the first occasion, 7 August 1951, he successfully bailed out and returned to action. Dishon then crash landed, 4 February 1952, and was subsequently taken prisoner of war - interned at Pyok-Dong Camp. Dishon was repatriated the following year, and spent several months in hospital recuperating. He subsequently served as a Flight Commander with the 390th and 391st Squadrons, in England. Dishon survived crash landing an F-84F Thunderstreak turbojet fighter-bomber whilst stationed in England, 25 May 1955. He advanced to Lieutenant Colonel, and served as a Squadron Commander in Germany prior to his retirement in September 1975. Dishon died in Florida in February 2004

Sold with the following original documents: Commission appointing recipient as First Lieutenant in the Regular Air Force, dated 1 March 1954; Bestowal Certificates for the Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier’s Medal and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Nato - Rotation Certificate of Accomplishment; Lodwick Aviation Military Academy Diploma, dated 1 August 1944; Air University, United States Air Force, Academic Instructor Course Certificate, dated 2 August 1962; Certificate of Retirement from the Armed Forces of the United States of America, dated 1 September 1975, with a Certificate of Appreciation named to recipient’s wife, all housed in a Department of the Air Force, United States of America leather presentation file, with photographic images of recipient in uniform, extensive copied research and photographic images of the crash site of his .