Medal of Honor: Henry Talmage Elrod – Wake Island – December 8–23, 1941

Name: Henry Talmage Elrod
Rank: Captain
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211)
Place and Date: Wake Island – 8 to 23 December 1941
Entered Service At: Ashburn, Georgia
Born: September 27, 1905 – Rebecca, Georgia
Departed: December 23, 1941 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Georgia

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Summary of Action

When Japanese forces struck Wake Island in the opening days of World War II, Captain Henry T. Elrod was among a handful of Marine aviators defending one of America’s most isolated outposts. Facing overwhelming enemy air, sea, and ground forces, Elrod fought relentlessly—first from the cockpit, then on foot.

On December 9 and again on December 12, Elrod engaged vastly superior enemy formations in the air. In one action, he shot down two Japanese bombers from a formation of twenty-two. Flying at extremely low altitude and under intense fire, he repeatedly attacked enemy surface ships with bombing and strafing runs. One of these attacks inflicted fatal damage on a Japanese warship, sinking the first major enemy vessel destroyed by small-caliber bombs delivered from a fighter aircraft.

When his aircraft was disabled and no longer operational, Elrod immediately joined the ground defense. As Japanese landing forces assaulted the island, he assumed command of one flank of the Marine defensive line. Under continuous fire, he directed his men with calm determination, personally engaging the enemy and enabling ammunition carriers to move forward under cover.

During a fierce enemy assault, Elrod captured an automatic weapon from a Japanese soldier, handed his own firearm to a Marine whose weapon had failed, and continued fighting. His leadership and aggressive defense were decisive in holding his sector against repeated attacks.

On December 23, 1941, as Japanese forces finally overran the island, Captain Elrod led his men in close combat with bold aggressiveness until he was mortally wounded.

His actions in the air and on the ground made him one of the most formidable defenders of Wake Island—and one of the earliest heroes of the Pacific War.

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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 211, 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, 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 1 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 1 enemy rush in force, he gave his own firearm to 1 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, 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.