Lieutenant Commander Arthur James Elliot II (April 9, 1933 – December 29, 1968) was an American naval officer killed during the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...

. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Gorham State Teachers College in

Gorham, Maine Gorham is a New England town, town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,336 at the 2020 United States Census. In addition to its urban village center known as Gorham (CDP), Maine, Gorham Village or simply "the Villag ...

, in 1955. In June 1956, he entered the Navy

Officer Candidate School An officer candidate school (OCS) is a military school which trains civilians and Enlisted rank, enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a Commission (document), commission as Commissioned officer, officers in the armed forces of a country. H ...

and was commissioned an ensign in the Naval Reserve in October of that year. He then served successive sea duty tours on (DD-729) for two years, and was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade). His next tour was on (CLG-4). In 1962, Elliot was assigned as aide and flag lieutenant to commander, naval surface forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Upon completion of this tour, he reported for duty as operations officer aboard (DDG-3).Image
vvmf.org He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Elliot of

Thomaston, Maine Thomaston, formerly known as Fort St. Georges, Fort Wharf, and Lincoln, is a New England town, town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,739 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Noted for its antique architecture, ...

. In December 1967, Elliot volunteered for duty in Vietnam, where he served as commanding officer of PBR Squadron 57, operating in the

Mekong Delta The Mekong Delta ( or simply ), also known as the Western Region () or South-western region (), is the list of regions of Vietnam, region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong, Mekong River River delta, approaches and empties into the sea th ...

. Under his command, his squadron of river boats achieved an outstanding combat record, taking part in several major riverine operations. On December 29, 1968, Elliot was killed in action while leading his squadron in a riverine interdiction mission. He received the Bronze Star with Combat "V". Elliot's awards include the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star with Combat "V", the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service medal with two bronze stars, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, the National Order of Vietnam (5th Class), the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal and the Navy Expedition Medal.

Honors

was named in his honor and in commission from January 22, 1977, to December 2, 2003.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elliot, Arthur 1933 births 1968 deaths United States Navy officers Recipients of the Legion of Merit People from Thomaston, Maine Military personnel from Maine University of Southern Maine alumni United States Navy personnel killed in the Vietnam War