Tracy Dorsett was born on August 22, 1937, in San Antonio, Texas. He was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program on August 28, 1959, and went on active duty beginning February 2, 1960. Lt Dorsett completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Craig AFB, Alabama, in March 1961. He then served with the 3555th Flying Training Squadron at Perrin AFB, Texas, from April to November 1961, and then with the 4th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Misawa AB, Japan, from November 1961 to July 1965. Capt Dorsett's next assignment was to the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida, where he served from July 1965 to July 1967. He began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, in July 1967. Capt Dorsett returned to the United States in September 1968, and then completed his Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He served as a Development Engineer with the Tactical Fighter Weapons Center at Nellis AFB, Nevada, from July 1970 to August 1972, and then at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon until March 1974. Maj Dorsett completed an Industrial College of the Armed Forces course in June 1976, and then served at Osan AB and then Yongsan Reservation, South Korea, from June 1976 to March 1978. His final assignment was at Eglin AFB, Florida, where he served from March 1978 until his retirement from the Air Force on September 30, 1980.

His Air Force Cross Citation reads:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Tracy K. Dorsett, Jr., Captain, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, SEVENTH Air Force, in action in Southeast Asia on 8 February 1968. On that date, Captain Dorsett led two aircraft against one of the largest, most important, and most heavily defended airfields in North Vietnam. Despite inclement weather, Captain Dorsett descended to extremely low altitude for a visual high-speed run across the airfield. Although faced with a barrage of withering antiaircraft artillery fire which severely crippled his aircraft, Captain Dorsett resolutely and skillfully pressed his attack against the target, damaging and destroying several aircraft on the ground. He was finally forced to eject over hostile territory. He successfully evaded hostile search parties and was subsequently rescued by a friendly helicopter. As a result of his actions, Captain Dorsett was successful in neutralizing a threat to Free World forces in Southeast Asia. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Dorsett reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.