Pillar in aviation, missile community made major impact on Warfighters

By Bill Crawford, AMRDEC Public AffairsSeptember 21, 2016

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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Sept. 21, 2016) -- An icon in the aviation and missile science and technology community died Sept. 19, leaving a legacy of progress in Army aviation and missile systems.

Dr. William McCorkle arrived at Redstone Arsenal in 1957 after graduation from the University of Tennessee with a Ph.D. in Physics. He remained in federal service for 52 years. The culmination of his career was serving 29 years as the director of the Aviation and Missile, Research, Development, and Engineering Center.

McCorkle was involved in development of virtually every missile and rocket system in the Army for almost six decades. His contributions included numerous patents and papers in guidance and control, fiber optics, unmanned aerial technology, and high energy lasers.

McCorkle is mainly associated with his near 30-year leadership tenure with AMRDEC. As the director, he was universally recognized as an international leader in aviation and missile technology. While at AMRDEC, he pioneered ground breaking ventures in simulations, missile design and analysis, software engineering, value engineering, and more. Under his direction, AMRDEC was recognized as the Army's best lab eight times. Even more critical was his leadership during the integration of what was once a missile-only laboratory into both a missile and aviation research and development facility.

McCorkle was recognized for his long service during his retirement ceremony in 2009. Former AMCOM commander Maj. Gen. Jim Myles stated, "Every weapon system, every missile system has had to go through the technical knowledge base that presides at AMRDEC. (The nation's missile defense) can trace its lineage all the way back to Bill McCorkle and the AMRDEC." Myles also compared McCorkle to rocket and space scientist Dr. Wernher Von Braun. Another comparison to Von Braun was by Senator Richard Shelby, who claimed no one since Von Braun had done more to promote rocket development at Redstone than McCorkle.

Trust in employees was key to McCorkle's success. During his retirement ceremony McCorkle said, "I believe, very simply, that you have to put trust in people and reward them tremendously, and give them opportunities."

Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, West End Chapel, 511 Church Ave. Danville, Va. is

serving the McCorkle family. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.

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The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center leads the nation in advancement and sustainment of aviation systems, missile systems and related technologies.

AMRDEC's mission is to deliver technical capabilities for responsive and cost effective research, product development and life-cycle systems engineering solutions that equip the warfighter with the best technology today and tomorrow.

Related Links:

Army.mil: Science and Technology News

U.S. Army Materiel Command

U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command

U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center