Clarence L Elder
Militaryfrom Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/41056
Col. Elder was the original C.O. of the 710th Bombardment Squadron and was well liked by all the men of Red Squadron. Born in 1915, He was from McMinneville, Oregon, and attended Linfield college before going to the United States Military Academy, West Point. He was commissioned a second Lieutenant in June 1941, and attended Cal Aero flying school in Ontario, California. From there he went to Stockton Field, California for his advanced flying training, then attended Fort Leavenworth Command and General Staff School, and and then the AAF school of applied tactics in Orlando, Florida. In February 1942 he was commissioned a First Lt. and then in December 1942 was promoted to Captain. He later received his commission as a major in in November 1943, and in October 1945 was commissioned as a Lt. Colonel.
Before becoming the commanding officer of the 710 Squadron, Col. Elder was squadron operations officer in 543rd Bombardment Squadron, both in the 383rd Bombardment Group. He completed 16 operational missions over enemy territory, and was awarded the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster,.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (447th Bomb Group)
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Medical Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Photo Lab Chief
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 447th Sub-Depot 710th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (447th Bomb Group)
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Flying Equipment Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 447th Sub-Depot 710th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (447th Bomb Group)
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Armament Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 447th Sub-Depot 708th Bomb Squadron 709th Bomb Squadron 710th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (13th Combat Bomb Wing) Headquarters (447th Bomb Group) 447th Signal Construction Battalion Headquarters & Headquarters Company (447th Signal Construction Battalion) 711th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: General
- Role/Job: Commander
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Memorial
- Known as: Rattlesden Control Tower
- Site type: Memorial
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
McMinnville, Oregon | 2 November 1915 | |
Died |
3 January 2004 | ||
Buried |
Newcastle Cemetery Newcastle, California |
Revisions
Surridge, E. K., & Dooley, E. C. (1947). Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H), including the 710th Squadrone History. LA: Army Navy Publishing.
Surridge, E. K., & Dooley, E. C. (1947). Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H), including the 710th Squadrone History. LA: Army Navy Publishing.
Surridge, E. K., & Dooley, E. C. (1947). Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H), including the 710th Squadrone History. LA: Army Navy Publishing.
Timothy Motz, from Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/41056
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit History Roster as of 01 August 1945