More detail on this person: Major (Ret.) J. Michael "Mike" Borland, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2018 at age 70. He fought hard the last few years without complaint, but finally succumbed to the effects of several Agent Orange related diseases. Mike was born in Indiana, PA on November 15, 1947 to Thomas and Eva Borland. He spent his childhood in the same hometown as actor Jimmy Stewart, graduating from Indiana High School in 1965. His journey in military service initially began at the U.S. Naval Academy. Mike left the Academy in 1968 and enlisted in the Army for the Warrant Officer Flight Training Program. He excelled in Flight Training and was selected to fly the AH-1G Cobra Attack Helicopter. He flew Aerial Artillery gunship missions in support of the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) and cross border MACV-SOG MLT-2 operations. These operations include the evacuation of Firebase Ripcord and LAMSON 719, where he was injured in a Cobra crash and medically evacuated back to the United States. Mike recovered from his injuries and returned to Cobra Hall, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia as a Standardization Instructor Pilot. He served the next several years as an AH-1G and UH-1H Standardization Instructor Pilot in various Assault and Air Cavalry Units. Mike understood the value of education and completed a Bachelors of Science degree at Embry-Riddle University and a Masters of Public Administration from Pepperdine University. He was selected for a direct commission to Captain and served his remaining years of service as an Attack Platoon Leader, Operations Officer, Airfield Commander/U-21 Pilot, Assistant Professor of Military Science North Carolina State University, Director, Rotary Wing Priority Air Transport and Aviation Officer, Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army. He retired from the Army in 1994 as a Major with 26 years of service. Mike began his civilian career as a self-taught Information Technology professional and worked many diverse jobs including Intuit Turbo Tax, Army Air Force Mutual Aid Association, Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Tax and Trade Bureau and US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Agency. Mike was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. He was an outstanding husband, father, and leader. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Mike is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Julie; son Sean (Sheila); daughter Sallie (Cristian); grandchildren, Hannah, Becca, Cristian, and Bella; and mother Eva. A service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 11 at the Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the memorial chapel Interment will follow at Quantico National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation.
Burial information: Quantico National Cemetery
This information was last updated 05/14/2018
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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