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: 06/15/2024
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