Lieutenant General Hugh M. Elwood retired from active duty June 28, 1973, ending more than 35 years of military service.
Elwood was born Nov. 15, 1915, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and graduated from Oakmont High School, Oakmont, Pa. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Aug. 2, 1932.
Elwood served as executive officer and later commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the Solomon Islands area during World War II. During this assignment, he shot down five enemy aircraft and was designated a Marine Corps Ace.
On his return to the United States, he commanded the Marine Air Force and the Marine Air Detachment, Marine Air Reserve Training Command, St. Louis, Mo., until July 1949. He was next assigned to the Naval Academy where he was an instructor in the Aviation Department for two years.
Ordered to Korea in August 1951, he took part in combat as executive officer and tactical officer, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He earned a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in this capacity on Jan. 26, 1952, when he led his division on a 12-plane interdiction mission against 15 hostile tanks, executed a series of devastating bombing and strafing attacks in the face of enemy antiaircraft fire, then escorted the damaged plane of his wingman safely back to base. He also earned a Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Air Medal in Korea.
In January 1963, he was named assistant deputy chief of staff (Plans), at Headquarters Marine Corps, and the following month was promoted to brigadier general.
He was assigned duty as assistant chief of staff, (J-3), Operations, Staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Admiral John S. McCain, Jr.), in Hawaii. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his service in this capacity. While serving with the Commander in Chief, he was nominated for promotion to the three-star rank by President Nixon in October 1970, his nomination confirmed by the Senate Dec. 9, 1970.
A complete list of medals and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal with gold stir in lieu of second award; the Legion of Merit with Combat "V"; the Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold star in lieu of second award; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; the Air Medal with gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, the Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star; Navy Unit Commendation; the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; one Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Vietnamese Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Peruvian Aviation Cross-First Class; the National Order of Vietnam-5th Class; the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm; the United Nations Service Medal; he Korean Presidential Unit Citation; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Elwood was born Nov. 15, 1915, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and graduated from Oakmont High School, Oakmont, Pa. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Aug. 2, 1932.
Elwood served as executive officer and later commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the Solomon Islands area during World War II. During this assignment, he shot down five enemy aircraft and was designated a Marine Corps Ace.
On his return to the United States, he commanded the Marine Air Force and the Marine Air Detachment, Marine Air Reserve Training Command, St. Louis, Mo., until July 1949. He was next assigned to the Naval Academy where he was an instructor in the Aviation Department for two years.
Ordered to Korea in August 1951, he took part in combat as executive officer and tactical officer, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He earned a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in this capacity on Jan. 26, 1952, when he led his division on a 12-plane interdiction mission against 15 hostile tanks, executed a series of devastating bombing and strafing attacks in the face of enemy antiaircraft fire, then escorted the damaged plane of his wingman safely back to base. He also earned a Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Air Medal in Korea.
In January 1963, he was named assistant deputy chief of staff (Plans), at Headquarters Marine Corps, and the following month was promoted to brigadier general.
He was assigned duty as assistant chief of staff, (J-3), Operations, Staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Admiral John S. McCain, Jr.), in Hawaii. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his service in this capacity. While serving with the Commander in Chief, he was nominated for promotion to the three-star rank by President Nixon in October 1970, his nomination confirmed by the Senate Dec. 9, 1970.
A complete list of medals and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal with gold stir in lieu of second award; the Legion of Merit with Combat "V"; the Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold star in lieu of second award; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; the Air Medal with gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, the Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star; Navy Unit Commendation; the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; one Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Vietnamese Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Peruvian Aviation Cross-First Class; the National Order of Vietnam-5th Class; the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm; the United Nations Service Medal; he Korean Presidential Unit Citation; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Lieutenant General Hugh M. Elwood retired from active duty June 28, 1973, ending more than 35 years of military service.
Elwood was born Nov. 15, 1915, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and graduated from Oakmont High School, Oakmont, Pa. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Aug. 2, 1932.
Elwood served as executive officer and later commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the Solomon Islands area during World War II. During this assignment, he shot down five enemy aircraft and was designated a Marine Corps Ace.
On his return to the United States, he commanded the Marine Air Force and the Marine Air Detachment, Marine Air Reserve Training Command, St. Louis, Mo., until July 1949. He was next assigned to the Naval Academy where he was an instructor in the Aviation Department for two years.
Ordered to Korea in August 1951, he took part in combat as executive officer and tactical officer, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He earned a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in this capacity on Jan. 26, 1952, when he led his division on a 12-plane interdiction mission against 15 hostile tanks, executed a series of devastating bombing and strafing attacks in the face of enemy antiaircraft fire, then escorted the damaged plane of his wingman safely back to base. He also earned a Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Air Medal in Korea.
In January 1963, he was named assistant deputy chief of staff (Plans), at Headquarters Marine Corps, and the following month was promoted to brigadier general.
He was assigned duty as assistant chief of staff, (J-3), Operations, Staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Admiral John S. McCain, Jr.), in Hawaii. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his service in this capacity. While serving with the Commander in Chief, he was nominated for promotion to the three-star rank by President Nixon in October 1970, his nomination confirmed by the Senate Dec. 9, 1970.
A complete list of medals and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal with gold stir in lieu of second award; the Legion of Merit with Combat "V"; the Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold star in lieu of second award; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; the Air Medal with gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, the Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star; Navy Unit Commendation; the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; one Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Vietnamese Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Peruvian Aviation Cross-First Class; the National Order of Vietnam-5th Class; the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm; the United Nations Service Medal; he Korean Presidential Unit Citation; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Elwood was born Nov. 15, 1915, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and graduated from Oakmont High School, Oakmont, Pa. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Aug. 2, 1932.
Elwood served as executive officer and later commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the Solomon Islands area during World War II. During this assignment, he shot down five enemy aircraft and was designated a Marine Corps Ace.
On his return to the United States, he commanded the Marine Air Force and the Marine Air Detachment, Marine Air Reserve Training Command, St. Louis, Mo., until July 1949. He was next assigned to the Naval Academy where he was an instructor in the Aviation Department for two years.
Ordered to Korea in August 1951, he took part in combat as executive officer and tactical officer, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He earned a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in this capacity on Jan. 26, 1952, when he led his division on a 12-plane interdiction mission against 15 hostile tanks, executed a series of devastating bombing and strafing attacks in the face of enemy antiaircraft fire, then escorted the damaged plane of his wingman safely back to base. He also earned a Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Air Medal in Korea.
In January 1963, he was named assistant deputy chief of staff (Plans), at Headquarters Marine Corps, and the following month was promoted to brigadier general.
He was assigned duty as assistant chief of staff, (J-3), Operations, Staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Admiral John S. McCain, Jr.), in Hawaii. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his service in this capacity. While serving with the Commander in Chief, he was nominated for promotion to the three-star rank by President Nixon in October 1970, his nomination confirmed by the Senate Dec. 9, 1970.
A complete list of medals and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal with gold stir in lieu of second award; the Legion of Merit with Combat "V"; the Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold star in lieu of second award; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; the Air Medal with gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, the Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star; Navy Unit Commendation; the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; one Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Vietnamese Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Peruvian Aviation Cross-First Class; the National Order of Vietnam-5th Class; the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm; the United Nations Service Medal; he Korean Presidential Unit Citation; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
