MJ Peter J. Boylan Biography

Major General Peter J. Boylan was born in Portage, Wisconsin. He had the great good fortune to have parents who provided him early and vigorous recognition of the difference between right and wrong. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the US Army and, shortly thereafter, matriculated at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Graduating in 1961, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry and spent more than thirty years in a variety of assignments. He served two tours in the Republic of South Vietnam, and participated in the invasion of Grenada with the 82nd Airborne Division. He was an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the US Military Academy and later served as Commandant of Cadets. General Boylan also served with the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and later as Deputy - The Inspector General of the United States Army. He commanded the 10th Mountain Division and was responsible for increasing that organization to its present strength during the $1.5 billion construction of the new Fort Drum, New York.

General Boylan retired from the military in February 1992 and was appointed the 20th President of Georgia Military College the following August. His tenure at this latter institution has been marked by a focus on character building as an integral part of education.

His academic degrees include a Bachelor of Science (United States Military Academy – 1961), Masters of Science in Engineering (Aerospace Engineering – 1969, and, Computer Information and Control Engineering – 1970) from the University of Michigan, and a Doctor of Laws (2000) from Flagler College. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi academic honor fraternity. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star (valor—3 awards), Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and Master Parachutist Badge. General Boylan served on the Committee for the Selection of White House Fellows (New York Region), was appointed by the Governor of Georgia to the Board of Directors - Department of Juvenile Justice, and serves as a Director on a number of other state and local boards.

He and his wife, Kathleen (Costa), have five children (Peter III, Therese, Heather, Gregory, and Emily) and twelve extremely beautiful and talented grandchildren.

Activities, Boards, and Committees (current and former)

• Committee for the Selection of White House Fellows, NYC Region.
• Chairman, Board of Directors, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, Gubernatorial appointment.
• Chairman, Board of Directors, Oconee River Greenspace Authority, State of Georgia.
• Chairman, Military Academy Selection Committee, 3rd Congressional District, Georgia.
• Chairman, Military Academy Selection Committee, 11th Congressional District, Georgia.
• Chairman, Military Academy Selection Committee, 12th Congressional District, Georgia.
• Board of Trustees, West Point Association of Graduates.
• Board of Directors, Flannery O’Connor – Andalusia Foundation.
• Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee, District 8, Georgia Supreme Court appointment.
• Committee to Establish Georgia History Museum in Baldwin County.
• Advisory Board, Bill Ireland Youth Detention Center.
• Board of Directors, Milledgeville Country Club.
• Board of Trustees, Georgia Military College.
• Board of Trustees, Georgia Military College Foundation.
• Board of Directors, American Red Cross, Baldwin County.
• Forward Baldwin.
• Cantor, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Milledgeville, Georgia.
• Local theater group.

Publications

• Numerous articles published in “Assembly,” West Point’s alumni magazine.
• Published articles in Military Review.