World War II Medal of Honor recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his widow) on November 8, 1946 for his actions as a Captain with the US Marine Corps fighter squadron VMF-211 on December 23, 1941 during the defense against hostile Japanese forces at Wake Island. He attended the University of Georgia and Yale University prior to joining the Marine Corps in 1927 and four years later, he was given the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Following his aviation training at the 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 was transferred to the US Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Virginia, where he served as a Marine Aviator until January 1938. He then transferred to San Diego, California and in January 1941 was sent to Hawaii. Just three days prior to the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, his flying squadron was sent to Wake Island. and on December 8, the Japanese began their attack. Over the course of the next 15 days, he heroically assisted in the defence of the island. He died at the age of 36 while defending men who were carrying ammunition to a gun emplacement. He was also awarded the Purple Heart, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (with Wake Island device), and posthumously promoted to the rank of Major. Originally interred on Wake Island in October 1947 he was reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery. The US Navy frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55) was named in his honor. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to Marine Fighting Squadron 211, during action against enemy Japanese land, surface and aerial units at Wake Island, December 8 to 23, 1941. Engaging vastly superior forces of enemy bombers and warships on December 9 and 12, Capt Elrod shot down 2 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, Capt. 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 December 23, Capt 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."