&Action Report (AAR)
Commandant Joseph Dawson, Sr. 32°

Mr. Joseph Dawson, Sr. (75) was born August 24, 1946 in Catchall Community of Sumter, South Carolina to the late Mr. Booker T. Dawson and Mrs. Lillie Felder Dawson.
At an early age he accepted Christ at the Hopewell Baptist Church, Dalzell, South Carolina where he served as Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School and Young Adult Teacher.

Mr. Dawson attended the public schools of Sumter County, South Carolina and graduated from Ebenezer High School, Dalzell, SC. He then attended Sumter Technical College. He also attended Eli Whitney Technical School in Hamden, Connecticut where he graduated as a certified welder.
During the Vietnam War he was drafted into the U. S. Army and served as a Cannon Crewman, Cannon Gunner, Cannon Chief of Section, Battalion Ammunition Sergeant, and Chief of Firing Battery. He also served as an instructor at the United States Army Field Artillery Center, Fort Sill, Oklahoma for seven years. He received the Instructor of the Cycle Award over twenty (20) times.

Commandant Dawson was a member of the Order of Saint Barber "The Saint of Field Artillery", the highest award an artilleryman can receive.
Overseas assignments: seven years Germany, one tour northern Greece, Nuclear Weapon Detachment Sergeant, three tours in Korea 1) Chief of Firing Battery 2) First Sergeant 3) Battalion Sergeant Major/Garrison Sergeant 6th Battalion 35th Field Artillery (MLRS).

His last assignment he was selected by then Major General John N. Abrams to be the commandant of the 2nd Infantry Division Replacement Detachment making Dawson one of two enlisted commanders in the Pacific.
Retiring in 1994, still serving life member 24th Infantry Division Association.

Mr. Dawson was an active member of the community. He was a Silver Life Member of the NAACP and past Second Vice President of the Liberty County Branch, a life member of the Disabled Veterans of America, member of the American Legion Veteran of Foreign Wars and a charter member and past president of Al Sarra Shrine Club.
Past Master Dawson became a Prince Hall Affiliate (PHA) Mason when he joined Rising Star 18 of Lawton, Oklahoma. He is well known throughout the United States, Asia, Europe and parts of the Arab County and Greece. He practiced his trade everywhere he traveled.
After retiring he moved his membership to Altamaha Lodge #321 in Jessup, GA where he also served as Worshipful Master. He was also Past Commander in Chief at Baxley Consistory #209, Past Honorary Potentate of Omar Temple #21, Honorary Past Imperial Potentate of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South American and its jurisdiction in PHA.

Mr. Dawson was proceeded in death by brothers Abraham, Elijah, and Earl. He was preceded in death by sisters Ruth and Ada Irene.

Mr. Dawson leaves to cherish his precious memories his loving wife, Mrs. Pearlie Mae Gardner Dawson of the home, Children, Mr. Joseph Dawson II (and wife, Bonny) of Dalzell, SC, Ms. Cynthia Miller of Baltimore, MD, Ms. Dicarra Jahdell Alexander of Houston, Texas, Mr. Terrance Day of Alabama, Mr. Willis Jennings III (and wife, Kimberly) of Greenville, MS, Ms. Vivian D. Turner of Atlanta, GA. Grands: Joseph Dawson III, Devon H. Dawson, Jazmin Jennings, Jaquan Jennings, and Jahvon Jennings, and Davan'te Jennings. Great grands: Germaine Alexander II, Emmarie Alexander, and Josiah Jennings. Sisters: Mrs. Jettie M. Jones of Lexington, SC and Marie D. Williams (and husband, Leverette) of Dalzell, SC. Nephews: Douglas Dawson, Samuel Jones Jr., Leverette Williams II, and O. Jones Nieces: Michelle D. Ledbetter and Yolanda D. Williams and a host of loving cousins, classmates, friends, and war buddies...