Bob Dory was born on August 5, 1933, in Lawton, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 19, 1952, and was trained as a Photographer. Petty Officer Dory left active duty at the end of his enlistment in the Navy on June 11, 1956, and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 26, 1956. Dory was trained as a Motion Picture Cameraman and served at Wheelus AFB, Libya, from June 1956 to April 1958. After a short tour at Orlando AFB, Florida, he was stationed at Vandenburg AFB, California, from August 1958 to October 1960. From October 1960 to October 1962, Sgt Dory served with the 5008th Support Squadron and 1352nd Photo Group at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. He then transferred back to Vandenburg AFB, where he served with the 1369th Photo Squadron from November 1962 to March 1966. During this time, Dory flew as a combat photographer in Southeast Asia during 1964 and 1965. In March 1966, Sgt Dory was deployed to the 600th Photo Squadron at Tuyhoa AB in the Republic of Vietnam, where he flew on numerous missions as a combat photographer. He left Vietnam in March 1967 and was stationed at Eglin AFB, Florida, from April 1967 to August 1968. Sgt Dory served at Camp Smith, Hawaii, from August 1968 to July 1969, before returning to the 1369th Photo Squadron at Vandenburg AFB, serving until December 1971. His final assignment was at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, from December 1971 until his retirement from the Air Force on July 31, 1978. Bob Dory died on June 10, 2008, and is buried at the Biloxi VA National Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi.

His 1st (of 6) Air Medal Citation reads:

Staff Sergeant Robert V. Dory distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight as a combat crew member in Southeast Asia from 10 March 1965 to 7 April 1965. During this period, outstanding airmanship and courage were exhibited in the successful accomplishment of important missions under extremely hazardous conditions including the continuous possibility of hostile ground fire. His highly professional efforts contributed materially to the mission of the United States Air Force in Southeast Asia. The professional ability and outstanding aerial accomplishments of Sergeant Dory reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.