Admitted to the Naval Academy in June 1906, he graduated in 1910 and spent the next five years serving in the battleship USS Kansas.

In August 1917, Lieutenant Corry began World War I service in France, where he commanded Naval Air Stations at Le Croisic and Brest during 1918 and early 1919.

He was promoted to lieutenant commander in July 1918 and received Navy Cross for his service with Northern Bombing Group.

Though thrown clear of the wreckage, the injured Corry ran back to pull the pilot free of the flaming aircraft.

He was thrown 30 feet clear of the plane and, though injured, rushed back to the burning machine and endeavored to release the pilot.