General Corley inducted into Order of the Sword

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Approximately 500 members from across Air Combat Command gathered at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Omaha, Neb., Jan. 13 to induct retired Gen. John D. W. Corley into ACC's Order of the Sword.

General Corley became the fifth person to receive the honor, which is the highest the enlisted corps can bestow upon an officer.

"To be selected for induction into the elite order, a person has to be an amazing leader and personify the meaning of the sword ... truth, justice and power, rightfully used," said ACC Command Chief Master Sgt. Martin S. Klukas.

"Furthermore, that person had to demonstrate unrelenting dedication to the enlisted corps and General Corley did that and much more," said Chief Klukas, who was also the chief master sergeant of the mess for the event.

The ceremony's attendees included Airmen from every base within ACC, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy, retired CMSAF James M. McCoy and General Corley's 10 invited guests.

The night was full of memorable moments including performances from the Heartland of America Band's ensemble Nightwing, the Air Force Honor Guard's four-man drill team and a prisoner of war tribute, which featured the playing of "Amazing Grace."

However, the night's premiere moment came when General Corley was inducted into the Order of the Sword.

With three slams of his gavel, Chief Klukas called the ceremony to order. Shortly thereafter, Chief Master Sgt. Shelina E. Frey, ACC first sergeant and the night's sergeant at arms, presented General Corley with a series of gifts including the proclamation, citation and the sword itself.

The sword, encased in a display box for all to see, represented much more than a memento of the event.

"General Corley, this is your personal sword," said Chief Master Sgt. Brian S. Hornback, Eighth Air Force command chief and the ceremony's duty sergeant.

"It's a symbol of power, rightfully and (justly) used, the sword and its heraldry are fitting of presentation to you, a leader among leaders," Chief Hornback said.

The proclamation, issued by the enlisted Airmen of ACC, proclaimed General Corley as a leader among Airmen, who established a new epitome of leadership while serving as the ACC commander.

According to the proclamation, through his leadership, sincere concern for the well-being of all Airmen and his continuous adherence to the highest standards of personal integrity, General Corley rekindled the spirit and resolve of ACC, and led the enlisted corps to new and great levels of duty, honor and country.

"Although monuments, trophies and awards of metal and stone must eventually crumble and fall," Chief Hornback said, "the bond of brotherhood (General Corley) welded with the Air Force enlisted corps will live forever in our hearts and minds."

The Airmen of ACC also recognized General Corley's wife, Alice, at the event for her dedication to her husband and the Airmen of ACC.

"Ms. Corley, we'd like to thank you for all the support you've given your husband and our Air Force over the years," Chief Klukas said. "We know your role as a spouse is extremely demanding."

To thank her for her role in General Corley's success, the men and women of ACC presented her with a set of wine glasses and a decanter, made from the same wood that was used for General Corley's presentations.

"We give this to you as a permanent reminder of your contributions to the ACC enlisted family," Chief Klukas said.

Shortly thereafter General Corley addressed the large crowed and thanked everyone in attendance, as well as those who supported him throughout his career.

During his time at the podium, the general shared a personal story.

"Forty years ago (then) Cadet Corley (was) studying for exams, preparing for Saturday morning parades, cleaning his dorm room and doing everything all cadets do," General Corley said.

While at the academy, General Corley said, he met a janitor by the name of William "Bill" Crawford.

Mr. Crawford stayed busy cleaning up the messes made by cadets who paid the man little attention, the general said. General Corley described Mr. Crawford as an old man with a wrinkled face, who was introverted and shy, and shuffled when he walked.

However, that all changed one Saturday when Cadet Corley learned that on Sept. 13, 1943, an enlisted man named William "Bill" Crawford, risked his life in the face of intense and overwhelming hostile fire, to attack fortified enemy positions and protect the president of the United States, General Corley said.

The lesson here, General Corley explained is to be careful of placing labels on people, as doing so can have negative consequences.

General Corley also encouraged attendees to be courteous to everyone regardless of rank or position, and to get to know their people.

He also stressed the importance of character.

"Character is who you are 24/7, it's who you are at home, it's who you are on the job and it's who you are when nobody is looking," General Corley said. "It's not inherited, it's developed and forms lasting reputations and it will be your legacy."

"While your image is what you want people to think you are, and your reputation is who people think you are, it's your character that's who you really are," General Corley added.

After scanning the crowd, the general revealed a slight smile and said, "I can't thank you enough for this probably not deserved, but clearly the highest honor and recognition that I'll ever get in my life." Thank you all very much, I appreciate it."

The Order of the Sword ceremony is patterned after an order of chivalry founded in the Middle Ages, specifically the Swedish Royal Order of the Sword.

"Since the 1700s, the Order of the Sword has been an honor awarded by non-commissioned officers of a command in recognition of individuals for whom they hold in the highest esteem," said Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, Ninth Air Force command chief master sergeant and the first sergeant of the mess.

"This honor has been passed down from century to century, yet its meaning has remained unchanged. Those honored have made significant, lasting contributions to the enlisted corps and have thus earned the highest honor that can be bestowed upon them," Chief Dearduff said.

The scroll for General Corley's ceremony, signed by ACC Airmen, now serves as a record of the proceedings, and is encased in a display box to serve as a reminder to the general of his enlisted force.