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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jan '98
James Joseph Dorney
No. 15585 Class of 1946
Died 6 November 1996 at Mendham, New Jersey, aged 71 years. Interment:
West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York.
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Jim Dorney was born 11 June 1925 in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Orphaned at an early age, Jim was raised by an
aunt. His cousin, Catherine Swank wrote: "Because he spent
summers with us in Philadelphia, he became a big brother to me.
He was in charge when we went to the beach, taught me how to
swim and to dance in time to the music. His days at Roselle Park,
New Jersey high school were busy. He was chosen to sing with
the New Jersey All State Chorus, played drums in the school band,
worked part time at the White Castle hamburger stand and started
to prepare himself to enter West Point. His appointment was the
fulfillment of all his dreams from the time he was a little boy.
I admire him because he had a dream and persevered until he made
it come true." Jim joined the Class of 1946 at West Point
1 July 1943.
Cadet roommate, Jim Hoey wrote: "As a cadet,
Jim did much of the usual things - dragged as often as possible,
excelled at practical jokes, outwitted the night guard at Pine
Camp, and got slugged once (the first plebe in the class to be
slugged). He worked steadily and conscientiously at all aspects
of his education. He had the highest respect for the ideals of
the institution and strove to live by them every day." At
graduation, Jim became a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps.
Following basic schooling, Jim was assigned to
Japan in 1947 with the 13th Signal Company, 1st Cavalry Division.
In 1949, he was selected to attend the University of Illinois
where he gained a Master of Science degree in 1951 His utilization
assignment was with the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project
where he became an expert in all phases of nuclear weapons. After
the Signal Advanced Course at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey in 1956,
Jim went to Okinawa. It was on Okinawa that Jim met a teacher
in the American schools, Ruth Miller. From Okinawa, Jim went
to C&GSC at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From there he was selected
to be a Tactical Officer at West Point. He attended the Armed
Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia in 1965 and from there
went to Vietnam to command the 39th Signal Battalion. Jim always
liked to tell that the 39th was the largest battalion in the
Army with over 2,200 men. From Vietnam, Jim returned to Hq, North
American Air Defense Command at Colorado Springs, Colorado. While
there, Jim married Ruth Miller on 8 August 1967. From NORAD,
the Dorney's moved to the Washington area where Jim served on
the Army Staff. Jim retired as a Colonel in 1970.
Jim's retirement was precipitated by a situation
with Ruth's parent's family farm in New Jersey. Their farm had
been zoned residential which raised taxes to the point they had
to sell. One of Jim's roommates, Hubert Stees, wrote: "Jim
retired immediately and moved to the farm. He discovered an active
farm was one that earned a certain income. The farm had the usual
animals and a garden, so Jim set out a sign for fresh eggs and
produce and very quickly earned enough to qualify as an active
farm. Then in true staff officer fashion, armed with flip charts
and pointer, appeared before the zoning board and won his case.
The farm was rezoned for agriculture."
Jim's beloved Ruth wrote of Jim's career as a farmer:
"We returned to New Jersey where Jim took on the challenge
of restoring the farm on which I'd been born. He began his task
in the fall of 1970 and in two years he personally returned the
property to farm status. He learned to cut hay, grow crops, operate
the balers, tractors and mowers. He also learned to string barbed
wire and to grow and freeze vegetables. Angus beef cattle were
added to complete the picture. Farming was a completely new life
for Jim as he had grown up in a town setting. I also began a
new career as a school principal in our home town. A couple of
years later, we purchased a small farm adjacent to the larger
one where we made our home."
During his life as a farmer, Jim took advantage
of his proximity to West Point to attend home games. He and Ruth
had "tailgating" perfected to a fine art. Jim was always
deeply religious. He was proud to be a lector on Sunday and at
daily mass at his parish. He was proud to have been a lector
at mass at the Tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican when he and Ruth
visited Rome in 1990."
Jim died from cancer on 6 November 1996. He is
survived by his wife, Ruth and a son Michael.
Jim Dorney made an immediate impression on all
who met him as someone who would make a good friend. He liked
people and in turn was liked by all who knew him. The remembrances
of those who knew him best reflect on a truly fine person.
Roommate, Ed Joseph, recalled: "I shall always
remember Jim Dorney with a smile on his face, kind words for
his fellow men and a deep love for God and country."
Hubert Stees remembered: "Throughout his entire
adult life, Jim had a strong faith in God. I do not mourn for
Jim because I know he is at peace with his Lord. However, I do
mourn for those of us who knew him, loved him and feel the loss."
His beloved Ruth recalled: "If it were possible
to sum up in a few words which would characterize Jim, they would
be, Love of farm, West Point, family and kids and a special love
for God who made them all possible,"
Catherine Swank recalled: "Jim loved his God,
loved his wife, Ruth, loved his family and loved the Army."
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Jim
wrote: "As a loyal soldier and a superior commander."
The Class of 1946 is proud to add to the remembrances
of his family
and friends, the phrase that would mean so much to him: "Well
Done, Jim; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Ruth
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