g.asher
2LT Roy A. Corry, Jr, USMCR
F4F-3 BuNo 2532 assigned to VMF-221 in May 1942.
"On the morning of June 4, 1942, Captain McCarthy and I were preparing to land after a routine patrol we received a message from radio telling of enemy planes approaching the island from a bearing of 310o true at a distance of approximately 35 miles.
"As we were very short on fuel, we landed immediately, serviced our ships and took off.
"We were at 8,000 feet heading for the enemy bombers which were around 12,000 or 15,000 feet when we were attacked by eight 00 Fighters. We were immediately broken up by the first pass, and from than on we were fighting singly.
"Captain McCarthy shot down one fighter immediately, and I shot one down on his tail.
"I lost sight of Captain McCarthy shortly after due to the fact that I had three 00 Fighters on my tail. Being unable to out maneuver them, I attacked a dive bomber that was leaving the area of Eastern Island. I fired a short burst and the dive bomber (Aichi 99) rolled over and crashed in the ocean.
"By this time my tanks were all leaking badly and the fighters were shooting my plane up very effectively. I managed to stay low on the water and get back to the field safely.
"I observed two F2A-3's shot down during the conflict, one pilot balled out and was strafed.
"The 00 Fighter is by far the most maneuverable plane that exists at the present time. You cannot compare them with our service type ships. The 00 Fighter is apparently very strong in construction, being able to withstand as much stress and strain as our own planes. The Japanese planed seem to be very vulnerable if you are fortunate enough to bring your guns to bear.
"I expended a total of about 20 rounds out of each gun."
Corry's citation accompanying his award of the Navy Cross reads:
"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Roy A. Corry (0-7540), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Squadron Commander and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Delivering a dauntless and aggressive assault against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Second Lieutenant Corry shot down one Navy Aichi Type dive bomber and one OO Isento KI Navy Fighter, thereby aiding in the disruption of enemy plans and lessening the effectiveness of their attack. His courageous determination, maintained at great personal risk against tremendous odds, contributed materially to the success of our forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
2LT Roy A. Corry, Jr, USMCR
F4F-3 BuNo 2532 assigned to VMF-221 in May 1942.
"On the morning of June 4, 1942, Captain McCarthy and I were preparing to land after a routine patrol we received a message from radio telling of enemy planes approaching the island from a bearing of 310o true at a distance of approximately 35 miles.
"As we were very short on fuel, we landed immediately, serviced our ships and took off.
"We were at 8,000 feet heading for the enemy bombers which were around 12,000 or 15,000 feet when we were attacked by eight 00 Fighters. We were immediately broken up by the first pass, and from than on we were fighting singly.
"Captain McCarthy shot down one fighter immediately, and I shot one down on his tail.
"I lost sight of Captain McCarthy shortly after due to the fact that I had three 00 Fighters on my tail. Being unable to out maneuver them, I attacked a dive bomber that was leaving the area of Eastern Island. I fired a short burst and the dive bomber (Aichi 99) rolled over and crashed in the ocean.
"By this time my tanks were all leaking badly and the fighters were shooting my plane up very effectively. I managed to stay low on the water and get back to the field safely.
"I observed two F2A-3's shot down during the conflict, one pilot balled out and was strafed.
"The 00 Fighter is by far the most maneuverable plane that exists at the present time. You cannot compare them with our service type ships. The 00 Fighter is apparently very strong in construction, being able to withstand as much stress and strain as our own planes. The Japanese planed seem to be very vulnerable if you are fortunate enough to bring your guns to bear.
"I expended a total of about 20 rounds out of each gun."
Corry's citation accompanying his award of the Navy Cross reads:
"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Roy A. Corry (0-7540), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Squadron Commander and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Delivering a dauntless and aggressive assault against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Second Lieutenant Corry shot down one Navy Aichi Type dive bomber and one OO Isento KI Navy Fighter, thereby aiding in the disruption of enemy plans and lessening the effectiveness of their attack. His courageous determination, maintained at great personal risk against tremendous odds, contributed materially to the success of our forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."