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: 01/11/2025
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