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Henry Talmage Elrod was born on 27 September 1905 in Turner County, Ga. He attended the University of Georgia and Yale University prior to his enlistment in
the Marine Corps in December 1927. He was appointed a Marine second lieutenant in February 1931. Following over a year at the Marine Corps Basic School in Philadelphia and at the Marine
Barracks there as a student aviator, 2d Lt Elrod was ordered to the Naval Station in Pensacola, Florida. There he served as a company officer at the Naval Station, and as student aviator.
He was promoted to first lieutenant on 29 May 1934. In February 1935, he earned his wings and, as a Marine Aviator, was transferred to Quantico, Virginia, where he served with a Marine
aircraft unit until January 1938. In addition to his other duties, he was squadron school, personnel, and welfare officer. He was also promoted to captain during this time on 01 September
1937. In July 1938, Capt. Elrod went to San Diego for duty at the Naval Air Station and served as squadron material, parachute, and personnel officer, until January 1941, when he was
detached to the Hawaiian Islands area.
He arrived at Wake Island a short time before the hostilities commenced and was one of the twelve pilots who flew the Marine planes onto the island. During the defense of Wake, Capt Elrod
repeatedly displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty. On the 12th of December he single-handedly attacked a flight of 22
enemy planes and shot down two. On several flights he executed low altitude bombing and strafing runs on enemy ships, and became the first man to sink a major warship with small caliber
bombs delivered from a fighter-type aircraft. When his plane was destroyed by hostile fire he organized a unit of ground troops into a beach defense and repulsed repeated Japanese attacks
until he fell mortally wounded. Capt Elrod was killed in action defending Wake Island against the invading Japanese on 23 December 1941. On 08 November 1946, his widow was presented with
the Medal of Honor, posthumously awarded to her husband for his heroic actions during the last bitter days of the defense of Wake. Major Elrod, who had been posthumously promoted to major
in January 1942, was initially buried on Wake Island, but was re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, in October 1947.
USS Elrod (FFG 55) (1985-2015) was the first ship named in his honor. |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager |
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01 August 1984: Bath, Me. - An elevated bow view of the guided missile frigates
Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49), and Elrod (FFG 55) while under construction. In the background is the guided missile frigate
Jesse L. Taylor (FFG 50). The Robert G. Bradley is at 100 percent completion.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-10161 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the Defense Visual Information Center) |
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01 August 1984: Bath, Me. - An elevated stern view of the guided missile frigate Robert G. Bradley and Elrod. The
Robert G. Bradley is complete.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-10167 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
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09 February 1985: Bath, Me. - Starboard bow view of USS Hawes (FFG 53),
USS Simpson (FFG 56) and Elrod at Bath Iron Works Shipyard. Hawes is
draped with bunting in preparation for her commissioning ceremony.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-07873 by PH2 Carlos Drake from the DVIC) |
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19 March 1985: Kennebec River, Me. - A starboard bow view of Elrod underway during sea trials.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00156 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
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19 March 1985: Kennebec River, Me. - A port side view of Elrod underway during sea trials.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00157 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
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19 March 1985: Kennebec River, Me. - A port bow view of Elrod underway during sea trials.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00159 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
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19 March 1985: Kennebec River, Me. - A starboard view of Elrod underway during sea trials.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00161 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
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19 March 1985: Kennebec River, Me. - A starboard quarter view of Elrod underway during sea trials.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00160 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
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19 March 1985: Atlantic Ocean - A starboard bow view of Elrod underway during sea trials.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00152 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
Fred Weiss |
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19 March 1985: Atlantic Ocean - An aerial port view of Elrod underway off the coast of New England prior to its commissioning.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-07666 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
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19 March 1985: Atlantic Ocean - A starboard quarter view of Elrod underway off the coast of New England during sea trials.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-07669 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager |
075512 |
161k |
19 March 1985: Atlantic Ocean - An aerial port beam view of Elrod underway off the coast of New England during sea trials.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-07668 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) |
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06 July 1985: Brunswick, Ga. - Flowers are presented to a distinguished guest during the commissioning of Elrod.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03268 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC) |
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06 July 1985: Brunswick, Ga. - A joint services color guard presents the colors at the commissioning of Elrod.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03269 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC) |
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06 July 1985: Brunswick, Ga. - The crew of Elrod mans the ship during its commissioning.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03272 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC) |
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06 July 1985: Brunswick GA - Commander R.W. Moore, commanding officer of Elrod, speaks during the ship's commissioning ceremony.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03277 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC) |
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06 July 1985: Brunswick GA - The crew of Elrod mans the rails as guests look on ship during the ship's commissioning.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03276 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC) |
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03 March 1988: Genoa, Italy - Elrod shown moored in Genoa Harbor while on a Mediterranean Cruise port visit. |
Carlo Martinelli |
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22 March 1988: Charleston, S.C. - Crew members man the rails aboard Elrod as she returns to port after a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-88-05799 by PHAN Thomas Petry from the DVIC) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager |
075519 |
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22 March 1988: Charleston, S.C. - Family and friends greet crew members of Elrod upon their return from a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-88-05801 by PHAN Thomas Petry from the DVIC) |
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06 March 1994: Port Canaveral, Fla. - A starboard bow view of Elrod tied up at the Trident pier.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-95-00040 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC) |
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30 September 1999: Genoa, Italy - Elrod photographed while on a port visit to Genoa. |
Carlo Martinelli |
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11 October 1999: at Marseille, France - Elrod entering the port of Marseille.
(Photo from the Guy Schaeffer Collection) |
Paolo Marsan |
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05 July 2000: Stapleton Pier, Staten Island, N.Y. - From left to right, back to front. The USS
Nassau (LHA 4), HMCS Montreal (K-319)(Canada), RSS Endurance (Republic of Singapore), SAS Drakensburg (A301)(South Africa),
USS Hue City (CG 66), JDS Yugiri (Japan), USS Elrod (FFG 55),
USS Underwood (FFG 36), TCG Fatih (Turkey) and the Brazilian ship U27 moored at
Pier North during the International Naval Review 2000, a "Celebration of Seapower for the Millennium."
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-03-12225 by PH1 Jim Hampshire from the DVIC) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager |
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22 May 2002: New York City, N.Y. - On the Hudson River, some of the Naval war ships participating in Fleet Week 2002, docked at Pier 88 next to the
Essex class Aircraft Carrier USS Intrepid (CV 11), a Sea-Air-Space Museum. Some of the visible
ships include, the Forrest Sherman class Destroyer USS Edson (DD 946) (right, in front of the
Intrepid), the Oliver Hazard Perry class Guided Missile Frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) (foreground) and the Royal Danish Navy Ocean Patrol Vessel
HDMS Thetis (F-357). More than 6,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard personnel aboard 22 ships - including six warships returning from deployment in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom, sail into New York City for the 15th Annual Fleet Week 2002.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-04-09681 by PH1(AW) Michael Pendergrass from the DVIC) |
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16 September 2003: Norfolk, Va. - The guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk today before Hurricane Isabel
arrived. More than 40 destroyers, frigates, and amphibious ships left the naval station piers to avoid any potential damage from the high winds and seas generated by the hurricane.
(U.S. Navy photo #030916-N-4374S-004 by PH2 Michael Sandberg from the Navy Newstand) |
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22 January 2004: Atlantic Ocean - A starboard bow view of Elrod underway in the Atlantic Ocean on a scheduled deployment.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-04-12807 by PH1 Brian Aho from the DVIC) |
Fred Weiss |
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30 April 2004: Naval Station Norfolk, Va. - Elrod departs the pier from Naval Station Norfolk VA, to join other guided missile destroyers
in support of the global war on terrorism. As an independent Surface Strike Group, Elrod and her sister ships will participate in regional exercises with allies, make
diplomatic port calls and respond to any contingency including those associated with the ongoing war on terrorism.
(U.S. Navy photo #040430-N-3725R-024 by PH2 Greg Roberts from the Navy Newstand) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager |
075527 |
109k |
04 August 2006: Souda Bay, Crete, Greece - The guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) arrives in Souda harbor for a brief port visit.
Elrod is an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate and is homeported in Norfolk VA. Elrod is on a regularly scheduled deployment and currently assigned to
the Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group Two in support of Operation Active Endeavor.
(U.S. Navy photo #060804-N-0780F-002 by Paul Farley from the Navy Newstand) |
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07 September 2006: Novorossiysk, Russia - The Sailors aboard the guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) man the rails as the ship pulls
in to Novorossiysk, Russia. Elrod is the first United States Navy vessel to pull into the Black Sea port since 2001. Elrod is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class
frigate named for Marine Major Henry T. Elrod, a World War II Aviator, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in defense of Wake Island.
(U.S. Navy photo #060907-N-1120L-002 by MC2 Michael Lavender from the Navy Newstand) |
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13 November 2006: Norfolk, Va. - Line handlers standby for the arrival of the guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) into its homeport
at Naval Station Norfolk. Elrod is returning from supporting Commander Sixth Fleet operations, Joint Task Force Lebanon and Maritime Security Operations. SSG 06-2
operated both independently and in concert with NATO maritime forces providing presence and supporting allied forces.
(U.S. Navy photo #061113-N-1713L-027 by MC2 Lolita Lewis from the Navy Newstand) |
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13 November 2006: Norfolk, Va. - US Navy line handlers standby as a tugboat nudges the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate Elrod
arriving home on 13 Nov. 2006, after a successful six-month deployment with the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group.
(U.S. Navy photo #DN-SD-07-24941 by MC2 Oscar Espinoza from the DVIC) |
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13 June 2007: Atlantic Ocean - Guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) sails toward Norfolk, Va.
(U.S. Navy photo #070613-N-4014G-179 by MC3 Patrick Gearhiser from the Navy Newstand) |
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13 December 2007: Norfolk, Va. - USS Elrod, taken from the deck of George Washington (CVN71) at the Naval Station. |
Wendell R.
McLaughlin, Jr. |
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27 April 2008: at Norfolk, Va. |
Larry Backus |
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29 November 2012: Portsmouth, Va. - Elrod (FFG 55) moored at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
(Photo by Richard Miller) |
Richard Miller
BMCS, USNR (ret.) |
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07 July 2014: Punta Delgada, Azores Islands - Elrod makes a port visit to the Azores. |
Carlos Manuel Estrela |
075538 |
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30 January 2015: Norfolk, Va. - Elrod's crew manning the rails prior to her decommissioning ceremony. |
S. Dale Hargrave
Newport News, Va. |
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30 January 2015: Norfolk, Va. - Sailors assigned to USS Elrod (FFG 55) pose for a photo in front of the ship before her decommissioning ceremony at Naval
Station Norfolk.
(U.S. Navy photo #150130-N-YB832-003 by MC3 Ellen Hilkowski from the Navy Newstand) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager |
075539 |
242k |
30 January 2015: Norfolk, Va. - Brig. General Raymond R. Descheneaux, USMC, guest speaker at Elrod's decommissioning makes his remarks. |
S. Dale Hargrave
Newport News, Va. |
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30 January 2015: Norfolk, Va. - Commander Brad L. Stallings, Elrod's last Commanding Officer makes his remarks at the ceremony. |
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30 January 2015: Norfolk, Va. - Cmdr. Stallings receiving Elrod's last commissioning pennant. |
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30 January 2015: Norfolk, Va. - Elrod after the decommissioning ceremony has ended. |
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04 May 2016: Philadelphia, Pa. - "Quintuplets" berthed at the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia Naval Yard. From right, to left we see USS
Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58); USS Elrod (FFG 55); USS Kauffman
(FFG 59); USS Simpson (FFG 56); and one unidentified FFG with her number painted out.
(Photo by Bestbudbrian) |
Bob Hurst
Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
England, United Kingdom |
