More detail on this person: Peter Grant
Dorland, Major, United States Army retired, passed
away November 4, 2015.
He was born March 17, 1946 to a career military
family. He attended high school at Battle Ground
Academy in Franklin, Tennessee where he excelled
in academics and wrestling. His undergraduate
education was at Amherst College where he
majored in biology. He graduated in May 1968, and
continued post graduate studies at Vanderbilt
University. He joined the Army February 22, 1969,
completed Officer Candidate School January 23,
1970, and commissioned as a Medical Service Corp
officer. During the Amedd Officer Basic Course,
he applied for and was selected to attend the
Officer Rotary Wing Aviation Course. Upon
completion of the Basic Course, he transferred to
Fort Wolters, Texas and was placed in helicopter
flight training class 70-50. After completing
preflight and primary flight training he was
transferred to Fort Rucker, Alabama for instrument
and advanced training graduating in early March
1971. Following six additional weeks of training
in the Essential Medical Training for Amedd
Aviators course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he
transferred to the assignment for which he had
volunteered in The Republic of South Vietnam.
Peter was assigned to the 326th Medical Battalion,
Eagle Dustoff, 101st Airborne Division at Camp
Eagle, Vietnam. He served as an evacuation pilot
from April 1971 to March 1972. During his tour he
accumulated significant combat flight hours,
successfully evacuating wounded, injured and ill
U.S. soldiers, allied soldiers, and Vietnamese
civilians. For his accomplishments he was awarded
the Bronze Star, ten Air Medals, The Republic of
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the
Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals.
Upon completion of his combat tour he was
reassigned to the 82nd Medical Detachment
(Helicopter Ambulance), 1st Aviation Battalion,
1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. He
continued duty as an evacuation pilot and assumed
duties as a flight platoon leader. In 1974, he
accepted an assignment with the U.S. Army Center
of Military History at Fort Detrick, Maryland, to
author a book specifically about the history of
Dustoff beginning with the early development of
military aviation medical evacuation through the
significant role and accomplishments of
aeromedical helicopter operations in Vietnam. He
completed his manuscript in March 1977. The
book, "DUST OFF: Army Aeromedical Evacuation
in Vietnam," was published January 18, 1982.
Peter attended the Army Aviation Safety Officer
Course followed by the Amedd Officer Advanced
Course in 1977. In early 1978, he was assigned to
the 377th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) in the
Republic of South Korea where he resumed flying
duty as an evacuation pilot and eventually duty as
the executive officer. He returned stateside in
early 1979 assigned to the 247th Medical
Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) at Fort Meade,
Maryland again as an evacuation pilot and as
flight operations officer. The 247th Medical
Detachment was transferred to Fort Irwin,
California in early October 1980. He accepted the
position as Detachment Commander upon
completion of that move. In 1983, Peter completed
his command and transferred to Fort Gillem,
Georgia assigned to the Third Army Command
Assessment of Readiness and Training Office,
CART. In that job, he traveled extensively to US
Army Reserve and National Guard Component
helicopter aviation sites to provide assistance,
assessment and expertise.
On February 28, 1989 Major Peter G. Dorland,
Master Army Aviator, retired.
After his Army retirement he started and managed a
successful home construction company which he
owned and operated for many years.
Peter was laid to rest December 1, 2015 at the
Georgia National Cemetery with full military
honors. He leaves his loving wife, daughter,
son-in-law, granddaughter, three brothers, a
sister, many extended family members, and
countless friends and comrades.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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