Elrod (FFG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY AND FIGHTING SPIRIT OF MAJOR HENRY T. ELROD, USMC

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 . THE MIGHTY POCKET BAHLESHIP 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS 3. MEMORY OF MAJOR ELROD 4. SHIP ' S CREST AND HISTORY 5. CO BIOGRAPHY 6. XO BIOGRAPHY 7. COMMAND MASTER CHIEF 8. COS FORWARD 9. CO, XO, LSC PICTURES lO.-n. BAHLE FORCE ZULU 12.-13. SPECIAL PEOPLE 14.-15. ESW ' S 16.-19. CREW 20.-25. WARDROOM 26.-29. CPO ' S 30.-35. PORTS 36.-37. PALMA 38. HONORS 39. BLUE NOSE 40. PASSEX 41. SPORTS 42. HOLIDAYS 43.-45. AVIATORS 46.-49. COMBAT SYSTEMS 50. MSLEX 51. ROLE REVERSAL NIGHT 52.-55. ENGINEERS 56.-59. OPERATIONS 60. RAS 61.-63. SUPPLY 64. HOMECOMING

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Coat of Arms USS EIrod FFG-55 The ship ' s crest is a heraidic representation of Marine Major Henry J. EIrod ' s heroic actions during the Battle of Wal(e island in December 1941. It was during this battle that Major EIrod was killed and for his actions was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The colors of blue, red, and gold (yellow) are those of the Navy and the Marine Corps. The chevron in the shield has fifteen crenellations to represent the number of days the embattled Marines held Wake Island against a vastly superior Japanese invasion force. The fireball in the upper part of the shield represents Major EIrod ' s single-handed sinking of the Japanese destroyer Kisargi after being the sole U.S. plane to penetrate a squadron of enemy fighter-bombers protecting the Japanese battle groups. Similarly, the pheons on both sides of the fireball represent the two Japanese planes shot down by Major EIrod. The broken aviator ' s wings and the war hammer symbolize Major EIrod ' s further distinguished actions in ground combat after all of the aircraft in his squadron had been destroyed. The hammer also signifies the destructive force of the guided missile frigate EIrod. Major EIrod ' s service as a Marine Officer is symbolized by the unsheathed mameluke sword, which also draws attention to the fact that he was among the first to engage the Japanese in World War Two. The blue background and thirteen stars represent the Medal of Honor awarded to Major EIrod for his heroic actions on Wake Island. The gold wreath, pointed downward, commemorates his honorable death in action.