Frank Worth Elliott Jr. (December 2, 1924 – October 20, 1997)[1] was a major general in the United States Air Force. General Elliott served in World War II as the captain of a B-24 Liberator, commander of the 14th Strategic Aerospace Division, and commander of Chanute Air Force Base[2] in Rantoul, Illinois. Elliott also held the distinction of having piloted the SR-71 Blackbird.[3]
Major General Frank Worth Elliott Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Frank Worth Elliott Jr. |
| Born | December 2, 1924 Statesville, North Carolina |
| Died | October 20, 1997 Rantoul, Illinois |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942–1975 |
| Rank | Major general |
| Commands | 92d Air Refueling Wing 14th Air Division 307th Strategic Wing 7217th Air Division |
| Battles / wars | World War II Vietnam War |
| Awards | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Air Medal Air Force Commendation Medal Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Distinguished Service Order |
| Alma mater | Eastern Illinois University |
During his military career, General Elliott was awarded several commendations.[4] Among them were the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross.,[5] and The Order of the Sword.[6]
Following his retirement from the USAF in 1975, General Elliott resided in Rantoul, IL. When Chanute AFB closed on September 30, 1993, General Elliott worked as an economic development consultant for the city and was instrumental in helping the city attract corporations to fill the vacuum left behind by the base closing.[7] Following his death, Rantoul National Aviation Center was formally renamed Frank Elliott Field.
References
edit- ^ "Frank Worth Elliott Jr. (1924–1997) – Find A Grave Memorial". Findagrave.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
- ^ "Major General Frank W. Elliott Jr. > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display". Af.mil. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
- ^ Kline, Greg. "Almost Astronauts". Airforcemag.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
- ^ "Frank Elliott - Recipient -".
- ^ "Frank Elliott - Recipient -".
- ^ "AFEHRI". Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
- ^ "Chanute AIr Force Base, Illinois". Techbastard.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.