The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-12-08
Address Of Governor Hardee
At COrry Field Dedication

so generously and so nobly to that
call as Commander Cory responded
even though at loss of life, can at
least take some measure of comfort
in contemplation of his heroism and
the high example he has set in I'M
ielfislI service.
sln Pensacola Two Years.
Lieutenant Commander w. NJ. Cor
ry, Jr., graduated from the naval
academy in the class of 1910. He was
detailed to the Pensacola Aviation
Station with the first forty officers
named for flying duty and received
his pilot license in 1915. This tour
of duty held Commander Cory in
Pensacola for nearly two years, dur
ing which period he endeared him
self to the people Of this city both
personally and officially.
When Germany, by violating the
rules of modern warfare and disre-
garding the rights of neutraIs, ruth
lessly destroyed without prOvocatiou
or excuse, defenseless American pas
senger ships and helpless American
passengers, forced us into the world S
war, Commander Cory was sent to
France in September, 1917, where he
was placed in command of the first
naval air station in that country.
Later he was transferred to take
command of q station at Brest. He
accompanied Admiral Long on an Of
ficial visit to the King and Queen of
Belgium preparatory to their visit to
the United States. During his stay
in France he was awarded the CroiX
de Guerre and made an officer of the
Legion of Honor.
On his return to the United States
he was appointed on the staff of Ad-
miral Wilson as aide for aviation on
the battleship Pennsylvania of the
Atlantic fleet, which position he held
at the time of his death.
In recognition of his act of heroism,
the president made posthumous
award of the Navy Cross with cita-
ton to Commander Cory, together
with other decorations.
In 1921. the department designated
one of the new destroyers Cory
in his honor. This vessel was
launched at San Francisco March 28,
1921, and is now the flagship of one
of the destroyer divisions in the Pa
cific fleet.
While still in the prime of young
and vigorous manhood, having only
reached the age of thirty, life was as
sweet to him as it is to any of us.
Nature had generously endowed him
with exceptional gifts. His private
life was spotless, his personality was
so pleasing and his character so high
that he won the esteem and the af-
lection of all who knew him.
In selecting the navy for career, |
he chose a high and honorable pro- |
fession and the record which he had !
already made, both in this country !
and Europe, assured him with ma !
turer years still more brilliant flu !
ture.
When we still have men who place ;
loyalty to comradeship and to duty
so high above life and who can die
as gloriously as this gallant young |
officer died, we can feel well assured !
that America and American institu-
tons will continue to survive.
1t has now been more than two
years since his death. He has joined
his fellows who paid the supreme
sacrifice and with them is wrapped
in the robes of a nations honor and
in the bitterness of ma
tons tears"
We dedicate this field today to his
memory and we call upon the SOL
diers and the citizens alike, in con-
temptation of his heroic deeds, to
gain fresh courage and inspiration
for the duties of life.