Henry T. Elrod

Henry Talmage Elrod (27 September 1905 – 23 December 1941) was a Marine aviator. He was the first aviator to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for his heroism in the defense of Wake Island during World War II.

Elrod was born in Turner Country, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia and then Yale University until his father passed away in 1927. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in December, 1927, and was appointed a Second Lieutenant in February, 1931.

On 4 December 1941, Captain Elrod flew to Wake Island with twelve aircraft, twelve pilots, and the ground crew of Major Paul Putnam's VMF-211 fighter squadron. Hostilities in the air over Wake Island commenced on 8 December 1941.

During the defense of Wake Island, Captain Elrod displayed conspicuous gallantry and heroic courage at the risk of his life, far beyond the call of duty. On 12 December he single-handedly attacked a flight of 22 enemy planes and shot down two. He executed several low-altitude bombing and strafing runs on enemy ships; during one of these attacks, he became the first man to sink a warship, the Japanese destroyer Kisaragi, with small caliber bombs delivered from a fighter aircraft.

When all the U.S. aircraft had been destroyed by hostile fire, he organized remaining troops into a beach defense unit which repulsed repeated Japanese attacks. On 23 December 1941, Captain Elrod was mortally wounded while protecting his men who were carrying ammunition to a gun emplacement.

He was posthumously promoted to Major, United States Marine Corps, on 8 November 1946, and his widow was presented with the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the defense of Wake Island. His widow is also a former commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps.

The main road leading in to the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School is named after Elrod. USS Elrod (FFG-55) is named in his honor.

Medal of Honor citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN, during action against enemy Japanese land, surface and aerial units at Wake Island, from 8 to 23 December 1941. Engaging vastly superior forces of enemy bombers and warships on 9 and 12 December, Captain Elrod shot down two of a flight of twenty-two hostile planes and, executing repeated bombing and strafing runs at extremely low altitude and close range, succeeded in inflicting deadly damage upon a large Japanese vessel, thereby sinking the first major warship to be destroyed by small caliber bombs delivered form a fighter-type aircraft. When his plane was disabled by hostile fire and no other ships were operative, Captain Elrod assumed command of one flank of the line set up in defiance of the enemy landing and conducting a brilliant defense, enabled his men to hold their positions and repulse determined Japanese attacks, repeatedly proceeding through intense hostile fusillades to provide covering fire for unarmed ammunition carriers. Capturing an automatic weapon during one enemy rush in force, he gave his own firearm to one of his men and fought on vigorously against the Japanese. Responsible in a large measure of the strength of his sector's gallant resistance, on 23 December, Captain Elrod led his men with bold aggressiveness until he fell, mortally wounded. His superb skill as a pilot, daring leadership and unswerving devotion to duty distinguished him among the defenders of Wake Island, and his valiant conduct reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

External link

• USS Elrod official website (http://www.elrod.navy.mil/)