Dixson I. Wands
Date of Birth: 1917
Place of Birth: Lenore, Kansas
Father and Mother’s Names: Lucinda Dixson (Grandmother)
Spouse and Children’s Names: Mildred Berniece Johnson Wands (wife), married April 8, 1939; Jack Raymond Wands (son).
Service Branch: Army Air Corps
Rank/Specialty: First Lieutenant
Service ID: 0803719
Division/Company/Unit info: 729 Bomber Squadron, 452 Bomb Group (Heavy).
Riley Connection: The 1940, 1941, 1942, and 1943 Manhattan census records show Dixson as living in Manhattan. The 1939 Manhattan directory shows Dixson living at 1503 Fairchild Avenue.
Awards and Commendations: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart.
Date of Death (and Age): April 21, 1944 (age 27)
Place of Death: England
Grave Location: Cambridge, England.
Bio: The 1930 U.S. Census shows Dixson as living with his grandmother in Colorado. He came to Manhattan to attend Kansas State College, where he was a general studies major, was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, was involved with Wampus Cats, and with boxing. After graduation, he settled in Manhattan, worked as a foreman in a manufacturing job and was married. Dixson joined the Army Air Corps, where he served with the 729 Bomber Squadron, 452 Bomb Group. The 452 flew B-17s from England and hit strategic targets in Germany. The 452 also supported ground forces. According to information about the 452, Dixson was a crew member of a plane that hit heavy turbulence in poor weather conditions and crashed.
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