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WAR DAMN EAGLE
(66.229.252.239) on 11/12/2007 - 9:55 a.m. says: ( 9 views
, 1 likes
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"This dude was an ass kicker."
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I was watching this documentary on Wake Island last night and Cpt Elrod was one of the last two marine pilots left, who continued to go up and meet the jap planes coming in. He managed to shoot down the pilot that dropped the fatal bomb on the USS Arizona. After his plane was too crippled to go up any more he grabbed a tommy gun and started whipping ass on the on ground with the rest of the Marines. The only blemish on his record is that he went to UGA.
Henry "Hammerin Hank" Elrod
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
CAPTAIN HENRY T. ELROD
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following 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.[5]
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