Report Cletus Dixon Missing in Action After Japs Sink Destroyer in Naval Battle.
Memorial Mass Sunday at St. Joseph's Church For Sailor.
Mrs. Vera Dixon of west of Anthon received the tragic news Saturday that her son, Cletus, fireman first-class of the United States Navy, was missing in action following the engagement in the Pacific Ocean.
The community was saddened by the casualty, Anthon's second of World War 2. The first Anthonite to lose his life was Ensign Alvin Eckert, who was drowned when his plane crashed off the California coast last summer. Young Dixon was a member of the crew of the destroyer Dehaven, sunk the afternoon of February 1, 1943, by Japanese dive bombers near Guadalcanal Island during the Solomon Island naval battle of January 29-February 4.
Enlisting in the navy shortly before Christmas 1941, Cletus received special training at Great Lakes, Illinois, and Dearborn, Michigan. He was home on a weekend leave late in August 1942, before being assigned to sea duty.
The Dehaven was commissioned last September, and the Anthon youth was a member of the original crew. The 2,100-ton destroyer was of a type so new and with armament so secret that nothing has been disclosed about it or the ships of its class except the size.
Born near Neola, Iowa, April 20, 1917, to John J. and Vera Dixon, Cletus Hugh Dixon came to Anthon in 1919 when but a small child. He was reared in this community and received his education in St. Joseph's and the Anthon Public School. Following his graduation from Anthon High School in 1934, Cletus assisted his mother in farming west of town practically all of the time until he entered the nation's armed forces. In addition to his mother, Mrs. Vera Dixon, Cletus is mourned by six brothers: Edward, Leo, Francis, Raymond and James of Anthon and Paul of Battle Creek; and four sisters, Mrs. Thomas J. Coyne and Mary Clare of Anthon, Mrs. Paul O'Connell of Oto, and Patricia of the St. Joseph's Hospital nursing school at Sioux City.
The following telegram was received by Mrs. Dixon Saturday morning from Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, chief of naval personnel: "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Cletus Hugh Dixon, fireman first class, U.S.N.R., is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The department appreciates your great anxiety but details are not now available and delay in receipts thereof must necessarily be expected."
Members of St. Joseph's parish are joining with the Dixon family in a week of prayer for more favorable news pertaining to Cletus. If none is received this week, a requiem mass for the repose of his soul will be sung in St. Joseph's Church at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, February 28, by the Rev. A. Conlon, pastor. Should favorable news arrive before Sunday, the mass will be one of thanksgiving for his safety. The public is welcome to attend the service.
Source: The Anthon Herald, February 24, 1943 (photo included)
Cletus Hugh Dixon was born Apr. 20, 1917 to J. J. and Vera Emma Clark Dixon. He died Feb. 23, 1943 and is memorialized at the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines and has a cenotaph in Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery, Anthon, IA.
Petty Officer Dixon served in World War II with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS De Haven (DD-469) and was MIA/FOD/KIA when that vessel was sunk near Savo Island. De Haven lost 167 killed and 38 wounded.
Source: ancestry.com
