Major Henry T. Elrod
U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Fighting Squadron 211 earned Medal of Honor on Wake
Background
 Henry Talmage Elrod was born September 27, 1905 to parents Robert Henry Elrod and Margaret Belle Rainey Elrod in Rebecca, Turner County, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia and Yale University class of 1928. In 1927 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). In 1932 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-4617. In May 1933, Elrod married Elizabeth Jackson, niece of Rear Admiral R. H. Jackson. She would later become a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve.
On My 29, 1934 promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Elrod underwent flight training at US Marine Corps Basic School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was sent to the US Naval Air Station at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, where he served as a company officer and as student aviator. In February 1935, he earned his wings and transferred to the US Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, where he served as a Marine aviator until January 1938. He then transferred to NAS San Diego and served as squadron material, parachute and personnel officer.
 During January 1941 assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211) as Executive Officer at Ewa Field on Oahu. On November 28, 1941 took off piloting one of twelve F4F-3 Wildcats and lands on USS Enterprise (CV-6) bound for Wake Atoll. On December 2, 1941 the twelve F4F Wildcats are flown off and land at Wake Island Airfield. On December 5, 1941 the squadron begins dawn to dusk patrols from Wake Island Airfield over Wake Atoll.
Wartime History
On December 8, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War, Type 96 / G3M2 Nells from Chitose Kōkūtai (Chitose Air Group) bomb Wake Island and Wake Island Airfield destroying seven Wildcats on the ground. Afterwards, the remaining five planes are used by the squadron to defend Wake Atoll.
 On December 11, 1941 Japanese force attempt an amphibious landing at Wake Island and are repulsed by shore batteries that hit and sinks Hayate and scores a hit on Yayoi that causes minor damage. While the Japanese were withdrawing, attacked by F4F-Wildcats from VMF-211 armed with 100 pound bombs. F4F-3 Wildcat 4019 Code 211-F-11 pilot Captain Henry T. Elrod is credited with dropping a bomb that hit Kisaragi in the bridge and caused an internal explosion then sank. Landing at Wake Island Airfield his Wildcat was damaged beyond repair and written off. The sinking was claimed to be the first destroyer sunk by a bomb dropped by a fighter aircraft.
On December 23, 1941 during the early morning, the second Japanese invasion force arrives off Wake Island and Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) troops make an amphibious landing. In a last-ditch effort, Captain Henry T. Elrod helped organize the remaining garrison including civilians to man beach defenses. Several times, Elrod provided covering fire for men carrying ammunition for gun emplacements until he was shot and killed. After a short battle, the U.S. garrison surrenders.
Awards
Elrod earned the Medal of Honor for his actions between December 8, 1941 until he was killed on December 23, 1941 defending Wake Island. On November 8, 1946 his Medal of Honor was bestowed on his widow, Captain Elizabeth J. Elrood by General Alexander A. Vandegrift at the Marine Corps Commandant' Office in Arlington, VA. Today, Elrod's Medal of Honor is part of the collection of the National Museum of Marine Corps (211207-M-D0439-064). He also earned the Purple Heart, posthumously and the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal with Wake Island device. Posthumously, he was promoted to the rank of Major.
Medal of Honor (December 8-23, 1941)
 Citation: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Captain Henry Talmage Elrod, United States Marine Corps, 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 (VMF-211), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Wake Island, during action against enemy Japanese land, surface and aerial units at Wake Island, 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 22 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 from 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 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 for 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." |
Recovery of Remains
Elrod was initially buried in a group burial with fourteen civilians on Wake Island. Postwar, his remains were recovered and identified. On April 23, 1946 reburied at Wake Island Cemetery at plot A, row 1, grave 4. Later, his remains were transported to the United States for permanent burial.
Memorials
On October 30, 1947 buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at Section 12, Grave 3246.
In his hometown of Rebecca, Georgia a building is the Henry T. Elrod community center and a nearby park are named in his honor.
Elrod Road in Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCB Quantico) in Quantico, Virginia is named in his honor.
U.S. Navy (USN) Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55) launched May 12, 1984 was named in his honor.
In 1995, Elrod was inducted in the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.
References
USMC Casualty Report - Henry Talmage Elrod, O4617
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Henry Talmage Elrod (MOH citation
Hall of Valor - Henry Talmage Elrod (MOH citation)
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Henry T. Elrod (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Henry Talmage Elrod (photos, grave photo)
Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame -
Henry T. Elrod
U.S. Department of Defense - Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Maj. Henry Elrod December 13, 2021
Congressional Medal of Honor Society Brains and Bravery: The Ivy League and its Medal of Honor Recipients October 3, 2023
Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?
|
