Major Henry T. Elrod ( 19051941) USMC the first aviator to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II. 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 from 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 defen
