More detail on this person: Ernest Carter
Elliott, Colonel USAR, Sparta, TN
Ernest Carter Elliott, 84, ascended to the gates
of Heaven Tuesday, July 8, 2008 after an extended
illness.
The eldest of four children, Ernest was born
December 7, 1923 in Florence, SC to the late
Ernest and Emmie Carter Elliott.
A graduate of Florence High School, Col. Elliott
earned a bachelor Degree in Electronics from
Virginia Military Institute. Through advanced
cross-training with the army and navy, he acquired
numerous post graduate degrees.
Major Elliott formed the 175th Aviation Company at
Fort Benning, GA and trained his Pilots and men to
conduct combat assaults by helicopter. The
company was shipped out to Vietnam by ship and
changed designation en-route from the 175th
Aviation Company to Company A, 25th Aviation
Battalion. Major Elliott commanded Company A
and designated them as the "Little Bears". Each
aviation company had a radio "call sign" for
operational purposes and the Little Bears became
known throughout the delta area of Vietnam. The
company was designated by the Army Aviation
Association of America as the "Outstanding
Aviation Company" in 1966. An accomplishment to
all involved, especially Major Elliott as the
Commander who established the company in a
combat environment.
Major Elliott's accomplishments were not
unnoticed; he was selected for promotion to
Lieutenant Colonel and transferred to another unit
requiring his leadership and aviation skills and
rank. He later commanded a Battalion during his
military career and held various higher Army staff
positions one of which he was assigned as
Commander of Phillips Army Airfield.
Col. Elliott served in the US Army from 1943 -
1968. For his outstanding leadership and courage,
Col. Elliott was awarded with the following
medals; Bronze Star, 2 Purple Hearts,
Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star with Oak
Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Legion of Merit and Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf
Cluster. Among all of his achievements, he was
most proud of his wings and title Master Army
Aviator. After 25 years of service of piloting
aviation, Col. Elliott retired from the military
and flew helicopters for Arabian Helicopters for
many years until he settled into his mountain home
in Sparta, Tennessee.
Col. Elliott is survived by a son, Scott Elliott
of Florida; a daughter, Diane Bruckner of
California; two sisters, Joyce Flowers and Jean
Hardee both of Florence; also surviving are
several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased
by a sister, Evelyn Huggins of Florence; and
special friend Hattie Scarcliff of Sparta.
A Memorial Service will be held from 4-5 p.m.,
Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Hunter Funeral Home,
120 East Brockman Way, Sparta. A Memorial
Service will be held from 6 - 7 p.m., Thursday,
July 17, 2008, at Waters Powell Funeral Home, 400
South Dragan Street, Florence, SC.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to
Hospice Care of The Low Country, P.O. Box 3827,
Bluffton, SC 29910
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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