Lee Roy Dorey

LIEUTENANT COLONEL LEE ROY DOREY
U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of 1959, Cadet Squadron 9

THE EARLY YEARS AND USAFA
Hailing from the "semi-suburbs" of Richmond, Virginia, Lee Roy Dorey arrived at the United States Air Force Academy in 1955 as a member of the inaugural Class of 1959. His ambition for a military career was rooted deeply in his family history; his father’s background in West Virginia military life served as the early foundation for Lee’s own dreams. During his time as a cadet, he was known for a distinct blend of country traits and a rigorous commitment to the military system. While his classmates in Polaris noted his preference for novels and music over the "grind" of late-night studying, Lee maintained a strong academic record and an even stronger reputation within the Wing.

As a second and third classman, Lee was recognized for his stern enforcement of Fourth Class Customs, helping to shape the discipline of the underclasses. Outside the classroom, he was frequently seen navigating the area in his Volkswagen—a sight that led many classmates to remark that he was a "natural fighter pilot" in the making.

MILITARY SERVICE AND FLIGHT PATH
Upon graduation in 1959, Lee entered pilot training at Bainbridge Air Base and Webb Air Force Base. He earned his wings and transitioned to the heavy steel of the Strategic Air Command, serving as a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot at Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base from 1961 to 1963. His time in the cockpit was marked by the high-stakes refueling missions of the Cold War era.

A SECOND CALLING: MEDICINE
In 1963, Lee’s career took a significant turn as he transitioned from the flight line to the medical ward. He returned to his Virginia roots for post-graduate studies at the Medical College of Virginia before earning his MD from UCLA in 1967. This pivot allowed him to merge his military leadership with a new specialty: orthopedic surgery.

He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the USC Medical Center in 1968 and soon rejoined the active-duty Air Force as a surgeon. His medical service took him across the globe, from treating service members at Clark Air Base in the Philippines during the height of the Vietnam era to serving as a surgeon at David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base.

LIFE AFTER THE UNIFORM
After retiring from the Air Force at the rank of Lt. Colonel, Lee continued his commitment to healing in the civilian sector. He established himself as a highly respected orthopedic surgeon in Hutchinson, Kansas, and later in Tacoma, Washington. With over 55 years of experience in the medical field, he became a fixture in his community, known by patients for his thoroughness and his ability to explain complex surgeries in terms they could understand.

His expertise was so highly regarded that he was frequently called upon by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide independent medical evaluations and expert rationales for complex cases. His medical opinions were noted in federal records for their "thoroughness" and "accuracy," qualities he first honed as a cadet viewing "details in perspective."

Throughout his life, Lee remained a "natural" at whatever he set his mind to—whether it was navigating a tanker through a refueling track or performing a delicate surgical procedure. He remains a proud member of the "First Class," embodying the Class of 1959’s legacy of versatility and service.
________________________________________
Service Assignments
Years Duty / Specialty Location
1955–1959 Cadet, CS-09 USAF Academy, CO
1959–1960 Pilot Training Bainbridge AB / Webb AFB
1961–1963 KC-135 Pilot Clinton-Sherman AFB, OK
1963–1965 Post-graduate Medical Studies Medical College of Virginia
1965–1967 Medical School (MD) UCLA Center for Health Sciences
1968–1972 Orthopedic Residency USC Medical Center, CA
1972–1973 Orthopedic Surgeon USAF Hospital, Clark AB, Philippines
1975–1979 Orthopedic Surgeon David Grant Med Center, Travis AFB, CA
1979–1980 Orthopedic Surgeon Allenmore Medical Center, Tacoma, WA
Post-1980 Private Practice / Orthopedic Surgeon Hutchinson, KS