Dixon exhibit highlights AFPC headquarters re-dedication

  • Published
  • By Rudy Purificato
  • Air Force Personnel Center Historian
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  The Air Force Personnel Center unveiled the Building 499 A Wing renovation during a re-dedication ceremony held here May 2.

The renovated wing, also known as Dixon Hall, evoked strong emotion from the widow of the man for whom the AFPC headquarters is named.

"It is beautifully done," said a tearful Kelly Dixon to her escort, AFPC commander Maj. Gen. Alfred Stewart, as they toured the Dixon Heritage Hall exhibit in the A Wing lobby. The permanent exhibit honors the Air Force career of the late Gen. Robert James Dixon, who is considered the "Father of Modern Air Force Personnel."

Mrs. Dixon said she appreciated the work AFPC put into the museum-quality exhibit that showcases, in chronological order, her husband's 36-year Air Force career. A former prisoner of war, General Dixon was a fighter pilot during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War before ending his career in 1978 as the commander of Tactical Air Command. He also had served as commander of the Air Force Military Personnel Center, predecessor of AFPC.

The Texas Air Museum at Stinson Field in San Antonio and Lackland AFB's Airmen's Heritage Museum augmented the Dixon Heritage Hall exhibit collection by having contributed artifacts, photos, Air Force art, maps and model aircraft of some of the warplanes Dixon had flown. Following the rededication ceremony, Mrs. Dixon officially donated to the Air Force historical property that comprises the bulk of the Dixon collection on display at AFPC.

The National Museum of the Air Force plans to accession into the Air Force historical property inventory the Dixon Collection, once AFPC's Dixon Heritage Hall exhibit is officially designated an historical holdings venue.

Biography: Gen. Robert J. Dixon: http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5237