The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-12-08

Following is the full text of the ad-
+ dress delivered by Governor Hardee
at the dedication of Cory Landing
Field yesterday afternoon:
The custom of showing great honor
and paying high tribute to the mem
ory of military heroes is one that ira
dition and history teach that all peo-
T pies have had in common from the
first primitive tribe down to the mod
ern nation. Heroic deeds have ever
been the theme of song and story.
Indeed, they have been recorded by
inspired pens on the pages of all lit
; erature and have illumined with fade
less glory the pages of all history.
Monuments some unveiled but
yesterday, and others as old as civ
ilizatiOn-mark the last resting place
of the illustrious dead.
We need not on this occasion in
quire into the origin of this custom
we only need to observe how emf
nently fitting that such deeds should
be appropriately Commemorated and
their memory preserved SO that sue
, ceeding generations may be inspired
to still more glorious acts.
With these holy sentiments in our
! hearts which prompts the observance
of this time honOred custom, we are
assembled here today with hearts
warm with sympathy for his rela-
tives, to pay a loving tribute to the
memory of a gallant young naval Of
ficer who made the supreme sacrifice
in the discharge of duty under con-
ditions that tested to the utmost the
metal of the man. The test proved
that his courage was of fine tempered
steel and his heart of pure gold. How
appropriate indeed that this landing
field used by the military forces of
this country should be named for,
and dedicated to the memory OF
Lieutenant Commander Cory, one
who lost his life in a heroic service
and one not disconnected from the
war in which he served his country
most nobly.
Died a Hero.
On October 9Th. 1920, Lieutenant
Commander w. NJ. Cory. Jr., &C
companied Lieutenant Wagner on an
official flight at Hartford, Connect
cult. Lieutenant Wagner was pilot
ing the airplane. On the return trip
the machine suddenly crashed to the
ground and burst into flames. Com
mander Cory was thrown clear, and
out of danger but he instantly rea-
lized the deadly peril of his comrade
who was unable to escape from the
burning wreckage and, not pausing
for an instant to consider his own
safety, he rushed back into the
flames to save his brother officer
from a horrible death and in so dong
lost his own life.
No more heroic deed has been re-
corded in the annals of the army.
There is that in the atmosphere OF
the battlefield which gives abnormal
courage, The inspiring strains OF
martial music the realization that
the ewes of comrades are upon us, the
excitement of the charge and the din
If the conflict all combine to bring to
the surface every ounce of that lat
emit courage which lies dormant in the
hearts of the most timid.
Under such circumstances men
have been aroused to the greatest
FRENZY and have done deeds of TaIor
that gave a new meaning to herolsm
and a new and brighter luster to
fame; but the supreme test OF the
highest type of physical and moral !
courage comes when duty calls US 10
face great peril in times of peace,
when such abnormal stimulants no
longer thrill the heart and fire the
blood and nerve the arm.
The father and mother who have
son that can respond so courageously'