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s e a f o r c e s – online
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Naval Forces
Technology, History & Information
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Guided Missile Frigate
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FFG 55 -
USS Elrod
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USS Elrod (FFG 55)
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US Navy photo
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Type,
Class:
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Guided Missile Frigate; Oliver Hazard Perry – class (long
hull);
planned and built as FFG 55;
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Builder:
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Bath Iron Works, Bath,
Maine, USA
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STATUS:
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Awarded: May 22, 1981;
Laid down: November 21, 1983;
Launched: May 12, 1984;
Commissioned: May
18, 1985;
ACTIVE UNIT/ in
commission (Atlantic Fleet)
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Homeport:
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Norfolk, Virginia, USA
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Namesake:
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Named after and in honor of Major Henry Talmage Elrod, USMC (1905
– 1941);
> see history, below;
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Ship's
Motto:
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> WAR READY TO PRESERVE
PEACE <
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Technical Data:
(Measures, Propulsion,
Armament,
Aviation, etc.)
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see: INFO > Guided
Missile Frigate / Oliver Hazard Perry - class.
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Pictures,
photos & more ...
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Henry
Talmage Elrod
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Photo credits: US Navy, US Naval
Historical Center
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Namesake
& History:
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Major Henry
Talmage Elrod, USMC (September 27, 1905 – December 23, 1941):
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Henry Talmage
Elrod was born on 27 September 1905, in Turner County, Georgia. He enlisted
in the Marine Corps in December 1927, and was appointed a Marine second
lieutenant in February 1931. He attended the University of Georgia and Yale
University prior to his entry into the Marine Corps.
Following over a year at the Marine Corps Basic School in Philadelphia and at
the Marine Barracks there as a student aviator, 2dLt 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 1 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 8 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 posthumouusly promoted to major in January 1942,
was initially buried on Wake Island, but was reinterred in Arlington National
Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, in October 1947.
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Medal
of Honor citation:
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. /S/HARRY S. TRUMAN
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USS Elrod (FFG
55):
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USS ELROD was built at the Bath Iron
Works in Maine, and was commissioned in Brunswick, GA on May 18, 1985.
The ship was originally home ported in Charleston, South Carolina and shifted
to Norfolk, Virginia during March of 1995. USS ELROD has completed five
deployments to the Arabian Gulf, three to the Mediterranean Sea, and one to
the Adriatic Sea, and has participated in numerous operations in the Atlantic
Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Caribbean Sea. During the
Arabian Gulf and Adriatic Sea deployments, USS ELROD has demonstrated
America's vital interests in this region and contributed to our naval
presence during periods of hostility as well as peace.
ELROD's third Arabian Gulf deployment followed Operation DESERT STORM and
supported aggressive air and surface surveillance operations. ELROD
conducted naval exercises with other participating units of the Gulf
Cooperation Council nations to strengthen and further develop the bonds that
were forged during DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. The ship
participated in TEAMWORK '92, NATO's Arctic Ocean anti-submarine exercise,
and Operation SHARP GUARD, in support of multi-national enforcement of United
Nations sanctions and embargoing war materials to the Balkans. ELROD
demonstrated America's commitment to her NATO allies by providing a presence
among the Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean (SNFM) and Standing Naval
Forces Atlantic (SNFL) during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Recently,
ELROD completed another deployment in 2004 with our NATO allies in support of
Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR, and helped protect the 2004 Summer Olympics in
Athens, Greece, in Operation DISTINGUISHED GAMES.
ELROD crew members have served with pride and distinction as ambassadors of
America and spokesmen for our Navy, hosting official and unofficial visits
for foreign military, business and civilian dignitaries throughout the world,
including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates,
Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, Israel, Greece, Italy, France and Croatia. USS
ELROD has sailed the major oceans of the world, transited the Panama and Suez
canals, crossed the equator and the Arctic Circle.
In addition to a reputation for operational readiness and fighting skills,
ELROD has earned a reputation for community support and participation in
charitable projects. The ship has been recognized for the crew's
contributions by designation as a Presidential "Point of
Light." USS ELROD has also earned numerous awards during her
commissioned service, including the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy
Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Armed Force Expeditionary Medal, several Battle Efficiency Excellence Awards,
Secretary of the Navy Energy Conservation Award, Armed Forces Recreation
Society Award and various departmental and mission-specific awards for
excellence.
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USS ELROD (FFG 55)
COMMANDING OFFICERS
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CDR Richard W. Moore, USN
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May 1985
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April 1987
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CDR Phil W. Bolin, USN
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May 1987
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July 1989
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CDR Bruce R. Linder, USN
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July 1989
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July 1991
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CDR Donald P.
Loren, USN
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July 1991
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March 1993
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CDR Hubert L. Broughton, USN
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March 1993
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January 1995
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CDR Jeffery D. Burke, USN
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January 1995
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April 1996
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CDR Ralph M. Rickard, USN
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April 1996
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August 1996
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CDR Glenn Flanagan, USN
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August 1996
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April 1998
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CDR Thomas R. Andress, USN
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April 1998
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May 1999
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CDR Robert W. Bougher, USN
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May 1999
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December 2000
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CDR Charles J. Neary, USN
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December 2000
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November 2002
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CDR Stephen H. Kelley, USN
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November 2002
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September 2004
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CDR David D. Schweizer, USN
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September 2004
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February 2006
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CDR Teresa S. Sanford, USN
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February
2006
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Present
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… and patches …
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