Commander
Dorland H. Konichek
retired from active duty September 30, 1954, because of physical
disability after 24 years of service in the Coast and Geodetic
Survey.
He received his education at North Dakota Agricultural
College, Fargo, North Dakota, graduating June 16, 1930, with
the degree Bachelor of Science and leading his class in scholarship.
On August 1, 1930, he entered on duty in this Bureau. His first
assignment was in the Division of Geodesy on first-order triangulation
and base lines. Following this he was assigned sea duty aboard
the Ships OCEANOGRAPHER, NATOMA, and LYDONIA conducting hydrographic
surveys on the Atlantic Coast, and the Ships DISCOVERER, WESTDAHL,
and SURVEYOR on the Pacific Coast and in Alaska engaged on combined
operations. On other field assignments he was Chief of Geodetic
Parties engaged on first-order triangulation in the Arkansas
River Valley and Lake Meade; in Alaska, Oregon; Wyoming-Colorado-New
Mexico; Utah and California. Office assignment included duty
at the Northwestern District Office in Seattle. He also served
on a special assignment with the Army Air Force's Board No.
1 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
During World War II he as transferred to the
United States Army December 1, 1942, by Executive Order where
he served until January 30, 1946, as Major in the 290th Field
Artillery Observation Battalion, First Army, as Operations and
Training Staff Officer, with the rank of Major. He took part
in the following battles and campaigns: NORMANDY; NORTHERN FRANCE;
RHINELAND; CENTRAL EUROPE. He received the following Decorations
and Citations: BRONZE STAR MEDAL; WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL;
AMERICAN THEATER SERVICE MEDAL; EUROPEAN AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN
SERVICE MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE STARS, and a Citation while serving
with the 12th Field Artillery Obsn. Bn., for distinguishing
himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations
against the enemy in France, Holland, and Germany, from July
1, 1944, to March 15, 1945. "As a Battalion Survey Officer,
he planned and directed the accomplishment of more than 800
miles of survey. He organized and maintained a Survey Information
Center which provided invaluable assistance to Artillery Battalions
and enable them to go into action swiftly without making extensive
surveys to establish their positions. His ability to coordinate
artillery needs and survey possibilities has been a most important
factor in enabling his organization to accomplish its mission
in a superior manner. His leadership, courage and devotion to
duty reflect great credit on the military service of the United
States."
THE
BUZZARD, 10/14/1954
