WARD E. DICKEY, COL, USMC
Ward Dickey '26
Lucky Bag
From the 1926 Lucky Bag:
Ward Elliott Dickey
DuBois, Pennsylvania
"Dick" "Dixie"
HERE is one of the most "waliant" sons of the State that produced the famous "wolunteers." But he was lucky; for trouble started falling his way in the early months of Plebe year in the form of Acs and the Sub-Squad. He waded through the first, but alas, the deep pool was put in commission before he took that last swimming test.
Dick's strongest point is debating, and he can make you cry "Enough" in any kind of an argument by the simple process of orating at length on the first subject that enters his mind. In view of this astonishing capacity for noise and nonsense, we feel that we can safely prophesy that he will end up in the courts of the law. We hope on the right side of the bar.
While Dick is not a hard-shelled evangelist or reformer, he is always seeking for the light, and has, by actual count, discarded Flaming Youth in favor of the Kubyiat. If you want to get the real dope, though, just ask him about his trip to Paris.
"Hey, wife! what's the drill?"
Class Wrestling (4); Class Boxing (4, 1); Class Lacrosse (2, 1); Class Soccer (2, 1); Wrestling Squad (3), Numerals (3); Lucky Bag.
Ward Elliott Dickey
DuBois, Pennsylvania
"Dick" "Dixie"
HERE is one of the most "waliant" sons of the State that produced the famous "wolunteers." But he was lucky; for trouble started falling his way in the early months of Plebe year in the form of Acs and the Sub-Squad. He waded through the first, but alas, the deep pool was put in commission before he took that last swimming test.
Dick's strongest point is debating, and he can make you cry "Enough" in any kind of an argument by the simple process of orating at length on the first subject that enters his mind. In view of this astonishing capacity for noise and nonsense, we feel that we can safely prophesy that he will end up in the courts of the law. We hope on the right side of the bar.
While Dick is not a hard-shelled evangelist or reformer, he is always seeking for the light, and has, by actual count, discarded Flaming Youth in favor of the Kubyiat. If you want to get the real dope, though, just ask him about his trip to Paris.
"Hey, wife! what's the drill?"
Class Wrestling (4); Class Boxing (4, 1); Class Lacrosse (2, 1); Class Soccer (2, 1); Wrestling Squad (3), Numerals (3); Lucky Bag.
Loss
Ward died on October 12, 1945 of a heart attack while serving as the Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Air Wing, in Okinawa.
Ward is buried in Pennsylvania. He was survived by his wife and daughter.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Ward was one of ten Dubois high school classmates who signed the Resolution "In Memoriam for Vyrnwy Rogers” in the 1920 yearbook. Other yearbook quotes about Ward were: Now, Ward Dickey, merchant, scholar and fan, Is a straight forward, hardworking, capable man. Class questions: When do you like best to sell goods? Ward Dickey's answer – When Adelia buys. MISERIES: When Ward fails to meet Adelia. Ward graduated in 1921; Adelia in 1923.
Ward married his high school sweetheart Adelia Buys on December 28, 1926, at St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Dubois. Their daughter Dolores was born in 1930. In 1935, the family was in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and in 1940, they were in San Diego.
On September 14, 1927, Ward gave a talk on Nicaragua at the meeting of the Brotherhood of St. Paul’s Lutheran church held at his father-in-law’s house. He earlier had told a reporter that conditions in Nicaragua were growing better and a Guardia Nacional had been organized. It was officered by Marine Corps officers, such as what was maintained in Haiti. After his furlough, Ward and his wife went to his station in Port au Prince, Haiti.
Ward was made a colonel on his 40th birthday, August 11, 1943. In addition to Nicaragua and Haiti, he also served in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.
The Dubois 1945 yearbook listed him in command of Marine Air Group 33, consisting of a number of bombing squadrons in the Pacific.
His father Everett was a railroad engineer, mother Mary Alice Lillian, and sisters Josephine and Alta.
His grandson, in 2005: From Korean War Educator:
Unit: MAG-33
Service or Relationship: FAMILY MEMBER
Comments: I am the grandson of Col. Ward E. Dickey, who commanded MAG-33 from its inception at Cherry Point. His daughter, Dolores, who was with him at Pearl on Dec. 7th, would like nothing more than to hear from or know of someone who may have served with her father in 1944. Major George F. Axtell's Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMF) 323, the Death Rattlers, was part of this Group, as well. Thank you. Rob Baxter Jr., August 12, 2005
Photographs
From the 1946 Dubois high school yearbook
From the 1946 Dubois high school yearbook
"Eagle Mountain Lake Marine Air Station. Commanding officer of Aircraft Group 33 and his staff. Front row, left to right, Commander Wadley R. Glenn, United States Naval Reserve; Lieutenant Colonel James L. Beam, Colonel Ward E. Dickey, United States Marine Corps; Lieutenant Colonel Eschol M. Mallory, and Major Hugh B. Calahan. Back row, left to right, Captain Sanford M. Stoddard, Captain Harry B. Cannon, Captain Malcom Anderson, and Captain Richard Kilbourne." April 6, 1944. Previously from http://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery/items/show/86196
From his high school yearbook
Okinawa
Ward's command, MAG-33, recorded 214 air-to-air kills while operating from and in the vicinity of Okinawa.
Legion of Merit
From Hall of Valor:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Ward E. Dickey (MCSN: 0-4092), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the period from 4 April through 1 July 1945.
Service: Marine Corps
General Orders: Heroes U.S. Marine Corps, 1861 - 1955: Jane Blakeney
Memorial Hall Error
Heart attack is not a criteria for inclusion in Memorial Hall.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
