- John Eldridge, Jr.
Infobox Military Person
name= John Eldridge, Jr.
born= birth date|1903|10|20
died= death date and age|1942|11|2|1903|10|10
placeofbirth=Buckingham County, Virginia
placeofdeath= KIA in theSolomon Islands
caption= John Eldridge, Jr.
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Navy
serviceyears= 1927-1942
rank=Lieutenant Commander
commands=
unit=
battles=World War II
awards=Navy Cross
laterwork=LCDR John Eldridge, Jr., USN (10 October 1903 –2 November 1942 ) was aUnited States Navy officer who received theNavy Cross posthumously for his role in the U.S. invasion of theSolomon Islands duringWorld War II .Biography
Eldridge was born in
Buckingham County, Virginia , and graduated from theUnited States Naval Academy in 1927. After flight training atPensacola, Florida , he served at various stations on aviation duty. From11 September 1941 he was Commander, Scouting Squadron 71, attached to "Wasp" (CV-7). LCDR Eldridge was killed in action in theSolomon Islands on2 November 1942 . For his extraordinary heroism in leading the air attack on Japanese positions in the initial invasion of the Solomons on7 August and8 August 1942 , he was posthumously awarded theNavy Cross .Namesake
The destroyer escort USS "Eldridge" (DE-173) was named in his honor.
ee also
References
:DANFS
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