• Home
  • Archives
    • USMA Leaders Through History
    • The Vietnam War
    • Combatting Terrorism
    • Soldier to Citizen: Life After the Service
    • Honor And Integrity
    • Brent Scowcroft Series in Military History
    • Iraq and Afghanistan War Archive
  • Interviews
  • About
    • About the Center
    • Center News
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Leadership
    • Contact Us
The West Point Center for Oral History
  • Home
  • Archives
    • USMA Leaders Through History
    • The Vietnam War
    • Combatting Terrorism
    • Soldier to Citizen: Life After the Service
    • Honor And Integrity
    • Brent Scowcroft Series in Military History
    • Iraq and Afghanistan War Archive
  • Interviews
  • About
    • About the Center
    • Center News
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Leadership
    • Contact Us

Servant to the Community: An Aviator as the West Point Garrison Commander

Landy Dunham

Description

COL Landy Dunham grew up in a family strongly influenced by his maternal grandmother. His high school had a strong JROTC program, and he became the Battalion Commander. He applied to the United States Military Academy, but was not initially accepted, and he spent a year at the Prep School which helped prepare him for academics at West Point. At the Academy, he played on the 150 pound (Sprint) football team and met his future wife. Upon graduation, COL Dunham went to Flight School where, as one of the few minority pilots, he experienced some racism from one of his instructors. He switched instructors, and his grades immediately rose to match his performance. After flight school, his first assignment was Fort Campbell, where his wife finally joined him after her graduation from West Point in 1994. Over the course of his career, COL Dunham has served at Fort Campbell and Fort Bragg, and in Korea, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He was the Professor of Military Science at Howard University, a Historically Black College / University, and served two tours in Personnel Command / Human Resources Command. One of his most challenging jobs is his current one, Garrison Command at West Point. In this interview, COL Dunham addresses the challenges of being a minority officer in Aviation, as well as the opportunities his personality has provided. He talks about his passion for flying, and the critical importance of taking care of people.

Video Details Interview Date:25-Mar-16
Interviewer:Rick Black
Conflicts:
  • Afghanistan War
  • Iraq War
Topics:
  • African American Military Experience
  • Army Athletics
  • Camaraderie
  • CASA Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army
  • JROTC
  • Leadership
  • Military Families
  • Patriotism
  • Race in the Military
  • September 11
  • Taking on a New Command
  • United States Military Academy Prep School (USMAPS)
  • West Point History
Class Year:
  • 1993
Biographical Details Name:Landy Dunham
Branch:Aviation
Unit:A/1-159 AVN, S3 5-101, Commander 3-82nd General Support Aviation Battalion
Institution:USMA
Graduation Year:1993
Service Start:1993
Specialty:Howard University PMS
Additional Resources
The West Point Center for Oral History Logo

About
Contact

How You Can Help

The West Point Center for Oral History is a privately funded organization that relies on the generosity of donors. When you click on the link below, you will be taken to the West Point Association of Graduates website and instructions on how to give to the Center. We appreciate your generosity! Support The Center

Stay Informed

Be the first to know! Sign up now to get updates and email alerts when new interviews are released. Join the West Point Center for Oral History's Pipeline Alert.

"*" indicates required fields

© 2026 · West Point Center for Oral History   |   West Point Department of History   |   U.S. Military Academy   |   U.S. Army