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U.S. Army Air Corps 1940-1941
U.S. Army Air Forces 1941-1947
U.S. Air Force 1947-1962
World War II 1941-1945
Cold War 1945-1962
Born March 24, 1912, Ennis, Texas
Died April 04, 2003, Lubbock, Texas
Decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade,
2001 Inducted to the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame
April 17,2015 Congressional Gold Medal posthumously
Graduated Ennis High School and attended Trinity University for three years. Entered military service November 28, 1940.
Completed pilot training and commissioned as Second Lieutenant in July 1941.
After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, a secret mission began to be planned. When men were asked to volunteered on top secret mission, the men were told they probably would not make it home. 80 men were finally selected to work under the command of LTC Jimmy Doolittle and became known as the Doolittle Raiders. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire Pilot Lieutenant McElroy and crew attacked the Yokosuka Naval Base to bomb enemy shipping and supplies. One Japanese ship took a direct hit and was seen to fall over on its side, and a second was sheathed in flames when the B25 continued west towards China. The crew successfully bailed out over land and the only injury was a wrenched knee suffered by Sergeant Williams. The crew arrived at Chuhshei three days later thanks to help from local friendly Chinese. The entire crew remained in Indo-China to fly missions for more than a year, and all five crew members survived the war despite an enviable record of combat missions.
Crew of Plane #13
Pilot Lt. E.E. McElroy
Co-Pilot Lt. R.A. Knobloch
Navigator Lt. C.J. Campbell
Bombardier Sgt. R.C. Bourgeois
Engineer Gunner Sgt. A.R. Williams
Mac earned the Silver Star for volunteering to pilot a plane back into enemy territory to rescue Lt Ted Lawson.
Lt. McElroy remained in China-Burma-India command after the Tokyo Raid until June 1943. Subsequently he served in many operational assignments at squadron, group and wing level. Rated as command pilot. Post-war service includes service in Japan, Korea, the Mariana Islands, England, Germany and Laos. Retired June 30, 1962.
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