James Dorland

Bio

James Dorland was a POW/MIA who was shot down while on a mission in enemy territory in March 1953. He was flying a Cessna L-19 Bird Dog near the 38th parallel during the first day of the bloodiest battle on Heartbreak Hill/Ridge. While the pilot parachuted to safety and was captured, James chose to stay with the plane, believing he could keep it from crashing. It remains unclear whether he had time to parachute safely or if he went down with the aircraft. To this day, the North Koreans have not permitted the U.S. or any other country to search for bodies. The U.S. military has the coordinates of the crash site, and if the North Koreans allowed access, there would be a 99% chance of locating the plane and potentially his remains.

James was the second son of Raymond Dorland, an influential businessman who founded the Davis and Dorland Insurance Company, primarily servicing carrier insurance in New York City. James was well-liked by many, and his father hoped that he would join him in the insurance business after the war.

In his memory, the Dorland family had a small chapel built, complete with a stained-glass window bearing James’ name. The chapel is beautiful and is annexed to the main vestibule of their church located in Montclair, NJ.

Photos

Washington, DC Korean War Memorial

The South Koreans and the US military gave us the ultimate honor to be there in September when there was the first unveiling of the War Memorial.  This was the rose we left next to his name.

Ambassador of Peace Medal from South Korean Ambassador