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,.