Gene Kelly was on a mission. Clean up the cellar and gather his fishing equipment together to get ready for next season. In the midst of the carnage, he noticed a long leather case tucked in the rafters. Opening the case, revealed a US Naval Officer's dress sword, complete with scabbard, all in excellent condition. Having never seen it before, he showed his wife Deborah and asked where it had come from. "I'm not sure where it came from." she replied.

As they inspected the ornate sword,  Deborah saw there was a name inscribed on it  "James G. Dickson". Right away Gene knew what had to be done. His first call was to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, but was unable to gather any more information other than James G. Dickson had graduated in 1947. So on to the internet, and several search engines eventually turned up an obituary:

Dr. James G. Dickson Jr. M'60 GM'73, Portland, Maine, a retired anesthesiologist who conducted research on respiratory physiology at the Institute for Environmental Medicine; June 9, 2004. He was a career line officer in the U.S. Navy from 1947 until 1955, when he entered Penn Medical School. Following his residency, he served as Assistant Director of Penn's Institute for Environmental Medicine and dive director of the pressure/altitude respiratory physiology in undersea and aerospace conditions and other altered environments. As a clinical anesthesiologist, Dr. Dickson practiced at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and at Millville Hospital (now South Jersey Hospital Systems/Millville Division), in New Jersey. In 1985, he moved to Massachusetts and practiced at Boston University Hospital, now Boston University Medical Center, until his retirement in 1995. His daughter is Linda Dickson Barth CW 74.

Now Gene was more determined to get the sword back to the family of Dr. Dickson. "It was an important piece of this man's life, and I want his family to have the opportunity to pass it down through generations to come". Also, as a former naval officer himself, Gene thought it the only honorable thing to do. So back to the internet and additional hours of research he found two Linda Dickson Barth's, one on the west coast, and one in Pennsylvania. As most of his search centered around Pennsylvania, he made the call and got an answering machine, the next day a return call ended the search. Linda Dickson Barth from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania was the woman he was looking for. She was overwhelmed at receiving the call and was thrilled at the prospect of having the sword returned. In fact she did not know it was missing. As they conversed Gene explained that he also has a marine background. A 1975 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with BS in Marine Transportation he was also commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy Reserve as well as receiving his license as Third Officer in the US Merchant Marine. During his seagoing career Gene was one of three survivors on board the ill-fated SS Marine Electric which sank in a northeast gale February 12, 1983, 30 off the coast of Virginia.     www.webandwire.com/wreck_of_the_marine_electric.htm   

During the conversation, Linda told Gene that she did not remember her fathers military days, but she does have pictures of him in his dress uniform with the sword. No one remembers what happened to it. She is so grateful to be receiving one of her father's treasures. True heirlooms are hard to come by and this one will always keep his history alive. Gene is sending the sword to Pennsylvania via overnight delivery sending everyone home with a good feeling.  Thanks Gene Kelly.

Thanks to David de Bastos for a big assist in returning the sword to Pennsylvania.

Written and edited by Larry Ryan

As told By Gene Kelly

Photos by the author

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