Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Harry
Walter
Elkins
1911-04-04

–

1982-07-08

Born:

Macon

, 

Georgia

Home:

Macon

, 

Georgia

Buried: 

West Point

, 

New York

Cemetery:

U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery

When he was 18 years old, Harry Elkins joined the Georgia National Guard. Unable to obtain a Congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy, he enlisted in the Regular Army. In 1933, he led all Regular Army competitors and obtained an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating with the Class of 1937. He retired in 1965 as a U.S. Army Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    December 1944
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Harry Walter Elkins, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, in action against the enemy at Bastogne, Belgium, in December 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Elkins, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Action Date:

    July 1956 – June 1965
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 27 (August 13, 1965)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Field Artillery) Harry Walter Elkins, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1956 to June 1965.