*CORRY, WILLIAM MERRILL, JR.
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander,
U.S. Navy. Place and date: Near Hartford, Conn., 2 October 1920. Born: 5
October 1889, Quincy, Fla. Accredited to: Florida. Other Navy award:
Navy Cross.
Citation:
For heroic service in attempting to rescue a
brother officer from a flame-enveloped airplane. On 2 October 1920, an airplane in which
Lt. Comdr. Corry was a passenger crashed and burst into flames. He was thrown 30 feet
clear of the plane and, though injured, rushed back to the burning machine and endeavored
to release the pilot. In so doing he sustained serious burns, from which he died 4 days
later.
