Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant commander (also hyphenated lieutenant-commander and abbreviated Lt Cdr, LtCdr. or LCDR) is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander. The corresponding rank i ...

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

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...

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

Gorham, Maine Gorham is a 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 Village or simply "the Village," the town encompasses a number of s ...

, in 1955. In June 1956, he entered the Navy Officer Candidate School 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, Lincoln) is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,739 at the 2020 census. Noted for its antique architecture, Thomaston is an old port popular with tourists ...

. 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 ( vi, Đồng bằng Sông Cửu Long, lit=Nine Dragon River Delta or simply vi, Đồng Bằng Sông Mê Kông, lit=Mekong River Delta, label=none), also known as the Western Region ( vi, Miền Tây, links=no) or South-weste ...

. 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