Joseph Lawrence Dickman (b. 1917, Tampa, Fla.), U.S. Air Force officer, graduated from West Point in 1939 and then completed flying training and received his pilot wings. During World War II he flew P-39s to the Panama Canal Zone, joined the 78th Fighter Group as deputy commander in England, and in April 1943 parachuted from his malfunctioning P-47 into the English Channel where he was rescued by the British Air/Sea Rescue. Later he completed a combat tour of duty with the 82nd Fighter Group stationed in Italy. Following the War, General Dickman served on the academic staff at Maxwell Air Force Base, was director of student flying at Tyndall Base, attended the Air Command and Staff College and Air War College, was assigned to the War Plans Division at Air Force Headquarters, and attended the National War College. After two years as commander of the 388th Fighter Bomber Wing in France, he was assigned to U.S. Air Force Headquarters in Europe, and then was deputy chief of staff for operations, 17th Air Force in Germany. This decorated officer became deputy director for Operations and Administration at the Defense Nuclear Agency in 1971. He retired from Air Force service in May 1973.
From the description of Dickman, Joseph L. (Joseph Lawrence), 1917- (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10597181
