He enlisted in 1942, and he fought in Europe in 1944 and 1945 as an Army lieutenant with a quartermaster truck company attached to the 11th Armored Division of Lt. General George Patton’s 3rd Army. Primarily assigned to deliver ammunition and gasoline to tanks on the battlefront, Lieutenant Dickson was wounded twice in December, 1944, but returned to his unit immediately after receiving medical care each time.
He said highlights of his combat experience included helping rescue a trapped infantry unit “under very heavy shellfire” in January, 1945, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star. Al was one of eight U.S. veterans of The Battle of the Bulge who received France’s highest distinction, the Order of Légion d’Honneur medal from Philippe Letrilliart, consul general of France, during the battle’s 70th anniversary award ceremony held in 2015 by the Boynton Veterans Council at Veterans Memorial Park in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Al was an honorable man, lifelong learner, and an eternal optimist. He took classes in computers, cell phones, and bridge to keep current well into his nineties. He had a great passion for life and a strong devotion to his friends, family and the Jewish faith. He was a longtime member of Temple Shomer Emunim in Toledo. He made everyone feel very special. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed playing tennis, bridge and poker with his friends. He loved investing in the stock market, and was president of his investment group for decades. He also had a rich baritone singing voice and was a member of several vocal groups throughout his lifetime, and sang with a dance band in the 1930s. Al enjoyed traveling all over the world and loved to share photos of his adventures. He was a wonderful storyteller, and could retell every joke he ever heard. “Buckeye Al” loved Ohio State football and traveled to many of the championship games over the years.
We honor you, Alvin Dickson.
