Corry Paul Tyler

West Point, 1999

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Richard Shelton on September 11, 2007:

I’m sad for the loss of my friend Corry Tyler. I met Corry in 1998 when he was a Cow (Junior) at West Point. As one of his engineering instructors I was impressed with his amazing intellect and down to earth common sense. Though we always maintained a proper senior/subordinate relationship, we quickly became friends. Corry and I worked on many engineering projects and with the engineering club at school. We organized an afternoon tour of Shea Stadium and stayed for the game. Just after batting practice and prior to the game, Corry stepped out of the dugout and onto the field. The early crowd applauded and Corry turned and waved. When I encouraged him back into the dugout he said, “Sir, this West Point uniform is a ‘get-out-of-jail-free card!’” As a fellow baseball fan, Corry, his friends and I would occasionally attend Mets and Yankee home games. I complained one evening as the game went into extra innings. He cleverly responded with, “Sir, you pay for nine innings. More than that and you’re getting free baseball!” He was right. I’ll remember Corry best as one of my true hunting buddies. We spent many hours in the woods during our limited free time at West Point. Always a good bow shot, Corry even shot and killed a running deer with a bow. I’ll never forget how proud he was and how proud we were of him. Corry often found a way to visit my quarters over the weekend. He knew the back door was never locked and took advantage of it. I once came home on a Sunday afternoon to hear the washer and dryer going. Corry was upstairs in his underwear (he had to wash as much as possible) watching TV. He just gave me that proud smile. Though my son was only 8 years old at the time, he looked up to “Cadet Corry” and was always excited to see him. Because of the example set by Corry and his friends, my son recently applied to West Point. If accepted, he will join the USMA Class of 2012. At the graduation commencement for the Class of 1999, I read the names of half of the graduating class while standing on the dais. COL Jones, the Director of Admissions, read the other half. Back and forth we announced the almost 1,000 names of the Class of 1999. When I read Corry’s name, he saluted the Supe, grabbed the cardboard tube holding his diploma, and headed for the exit at the back of the stage. Right as he passed, he smacked me on my ass with that cardboard tube and said, “Thanks” as I tried to contain myself and keep announcing the graduates. We had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for each other. The last time I spent any time with Corry was late January, 2001. I was stationed in Nashville, TN with the Corps of Engineers. He and his buddies traveled up from “Mother Rucker” during helicopter flight school (yes, a fine engineer went Aviation) to watch a hockey game. Corry and his buddies needed a place to “crash” and who better than an old engineering “P” to lend a couch and a pull-out bed for the weekend. At the time, Corry knew I was finalizing a harsh divorce and could use some friend time. After the game, Corry and his LT friends took me out for a few beers. That night, I met a wonderful woman (yes, in a bar) named Amy. The next morning, Corry encouraged me to call her as soon as possible. I’ll be forever grateful for his good judgment. Amy and I married on the 4th of July, 2003 and I’ve never been happier. Corry was always positive, kind and witty with a dry sense of humor. He was never one to lose control of his emotions. He enjoyed life and friends. He loved his parents and spoke of them often. In many ways, I wish I was more like Corry. I regret not staying closer with Corry after his training at Ft. Rucker. I regret never telling him how thankful I was that he was my friend. I regret not having him at my wedding or trying to get to know his wife and kids. One day. Maybe one day my son Jacob will have a chance to meet Corry’s son Jacob. I miss my friend. Richard L. Shelton Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) USMA Class of ‘86

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