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Flight Officer Cordell graduated from Towson High School and attended the University of Oklahoma.

He enlisted in February 1943 and was transferred to the Air Corps in August of that year. He was sent overseas in November 1944.

Aircraft 42-97400 and 43-38473 collided at 1302 hours at 5055N-0910E at 26,300 feet in the vicinity of I.P. A/C 73 was flying in No. 2 position of low section, lead squadron, and A/C 400 flying #4 of low section, lead squadron. A/C 473 lost altitude, and 400 gained altitude at the same time. The reason for this is unknown, but it is believed that prop wash was responsible. A/C 400 had its fuselage torn apart and went into clouds in an uncontrolled spin. The elevators on A/C 473 were sheared off, and it, too, disappeared into the clouds out of control. No chutes were observed from either plane. All crew members were killed in action.

His two brothers also served: Lt Richard H. Cordell with the U.S. Naval Reserve and 1st Lt William P. Cordell with the U.S. Army Air Force.