James Dickey

James Dickey was an American poet and novelist best known for his 1970 novel "Deliverance" which was adapted into the acclaimed 1972 film of the same name. He was also appointed the 18th United States Poet Laureate in 1966. Dickey also served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, where he flew 38 missions in the Pacific Theater as a P-61 Black Widow radar operator with the 418th Night Fighter Squadron, an experience that influenced his work, and for which he was awarded five Bronze Stars. He later served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.