Gadsden County Times

Air Medal Awarded
Posthumously

Saturday, November 18, 1944, at 4:30 p. m. an air medal was awarded to Mrs. William Norris, of Starke, Fla., the mother of Staff Sergeant Robert T. Dodd, of the Army Air Corps, a brother of Mrs. Cecil G. Price, of Quincy. The award was made at Dale Mabry Field, Tallahassee. Family present at time of award were Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Price, of Quincy, and another sister, Mrs. R. H. Bartley, of Jacksonville, Fla.

The medal has been posthumously awarded "for meritorious achievement while serving as a crewman for over 200 operational hours on long over water flights under extremely adverse weather conditions. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this enlisted man reflects great credit upon himself and armed forces of the United States." Sgt. Dodd was reported missing in action over Biscayne Bay off the Spanish coast on Aug. 8, 1943 and on Aug. 9, 1944, his family was notified by the War Department that there had been no word or trace found of the bomber and the crew of 10 men, and he was declared dead.

Upon arriving at the field, members of the family were escorted by Lt. G. R. Bolte, Jr., of Dale Mabry, on a tour of the field which included all places and activities of interest. Mrs. Norris, mother of Sgt. Dodd, was then escorted to the stand where pictures were made. At this time a parade of six companies, including one company of WACS, passed. Presentation of award was then made, and the band together with those of the parade passed in review and off the field, thus ending the very colorful ceremony.