Medal of Honor: William Merrill Corry Jr., Interwar Service (Post–World War I), October 2, 1920

Name: William Merrill Corry Jr.
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
War/Service Period: Interwar Service (Post–World War I)
Date of Action: October 2, 1920
Unit: U.S. Navy
Accredited to: Florida

Summary of Action
Near Hartford, Connecticut, Lieutenant Commander Corry was riding as a passenger when the aircraft he occupied crashed and erupted into flames. Thrown thirty feet clear of the wreckage, he survived the impact with injuries but refused safety. Instead, he rushed back toward the burning machine, where the pilot remained trapped inside. Braving searing heat and exploding fuel, Corry struggled to free his comrade. Though his efforts inflicted devastating burns upon himself, he persisted until rescue crews arrived. Mortally wounded, he succumbed to his injuries four days later. His selfless act, made in peacetime but with the same devotion as in war, immortalized him as one of the Navy’s most courageous officers.

Medal of Honor Citation
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.