On Sunday, December 31st, 1967 word was received in Wilton that United States Marine Lt. John Geyer Corr had been killed in action.  John was one of eight young men from Wilton to lose his life in Vietnam and without question was one of the most widely known and respected young men in the community.  As the news spread it was a clear and unanimous decision that something should be done to perpetuate all that this young man had stood for.  Within 24 hours of receiving the news of his passing the Lt. John G. Corr Memorial Award was born.

The founding members of the memorial fund that had been established gathered together and, once again, a unanimous decision was made – the award was not to be a memorial to the tragic death of one young man; rather it was to be a symbol, a symbol that would perpetuate the honor, the integrity, the character and life of an exemplary member of American youth and Wilton, CT.

The award is presented each year, along with a framed certificate and medallion, to the graduating senior of Wilton High School who, in the opinion of the Directors, best personifies the devotion to his studies, the participation in sports, the qualities of true leadership and the exemplary personal character and patriotism of the man whose name it bears.

In addition to the framed certificate and medallion, the winning recipient is also presented with a scholarship totaling $5,000 to be used towards continuing his education at a four year institute of higher learning.  Upon completing four years of undergraduate studies, the recipient can apply for the John Howland Snow Overseas Scholarship to Cambridge, Edinburgh or Oxford University. 

The Lt. John G. Corr Award is the most prized and hoped for recognition among the many honors that are available to the male student-athletes of Wilton High School.  When the award was established it was hoped  that it would mark the beginning of a tradition – long before the 47th recipient was announced in 2014 the tradition had been established.