ROBERT M ELLIOT
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HONORED ON PANEL 39E, LINE 31 OF THE WALL

ROBERT MALCOLM ELLIOT

WALL NAME

ROBERT M ELLIOT

PANEL / LINE

39E/31

DATE OF BIRTH

11/08/1929

CASUALTY PROVINCE

NZ

DATE OF CASUALTY

02/14/1968

HOME OF RECORD

SPRINGFIELD

COUNTY OF RECORD

Hampden County

STATE

MA

BRANCH OF SERVICE

AIR FORCE

RANK

COL

Book a time
Contact Details
ASSOCIATED ITEMS LEFT AT THE WALL

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR ROBERT MALCOLM ELLIOT
POSTED ON 1.14.2024

Final Mission of LTC Robert M. Elliot

LTC Robert M. Elliot was a U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. On February 14, 1968, Elliot was the pilot of a U.S. Air Force Republic F-105D Thunderchief (#60-0418) in the number two aircraft in a flight of four F-105’s on a strike mission over North Vietnam. After completing their bomb run on the target area, the third and fourth Thunderchiefs became separated from the other two flight members. At approximately 3:45 PM, Elliot’s jet was damaged by fragments from a Russian-made SA-2 missile 23 kilometers (13.8 miles) south of Hanoi, DRV. He radioed that he had been hit; however, the flight leader could not see him because of haze in the area. When asked his position, Elliot responded he was in a left turn. The flight leader then observed the damaged Thunderchief in a level turn with flames coming from the tail section. It continued flight, then started a slow spiral, and exploded on impact in a moderately populated, flat area about 27.2 kilometers (17.0 miles) southeast of Hanoi. No ejection or parachute was observed; however, the distance separating the aircraft and dense haze may have prevented any sightings. No electronic signals were heard, and no further voice contact was established. Because the loss occurred deep in enemy territory in a heavily defended area, no organized search was conducted. Elliot was placed in a missing status. Over the next year, the North Vietnamese did not provide any information about him nor did his name appear in any prisoner communication channels. Elliot was promoted to Colonel during the time he was missing. In 1988, the Vietnamese government repatriated human remains correlating to this loss, and in 1999, U.S. analysts identified Elliot from these remains. His widow was notified on Valentines Day, 31 years to the date he had been shot down. On April 21, 2000, Elliot was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, pownetwork.org, and wikipedia.org; Image: Elliot’s F-105D trailing fire and smoke just after interception by an SA-2 missile south of Hanoi, DRV, on February 14, 1968. The SA-2 did not hit the aircraft, instead the warhead was detonated by a command from the tracking radar or by a proximity fuse in the missile when it neared its target, throwing fragments over a wide area.]
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POSTED ON 6.18.2022
POSTED BY: John Fabris

honoring you...

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am heartened you returned home though I wish it had been under very different circumstances. May you rest in eternal peace.
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POSTED ON 11.8.2020
POSTED BY: Dennis Wriston

I'm proud of our Vietnam Veterans

Colonel Robert Malcolm Elliot, Served with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force.
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POSTED ON 12.11.2018

P O W BRACLET

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMEONE IN COL.ELLIOTS FAMILY TO SEND MY BRACELET TO. THANK-YOU COL.ELLIOT FOR YOUR SERVICE. PLEASE E-MAIL ME
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POSTED ON 12.11.2018
POSTED BY: Andrea Olsen

Reply to Jean - I, too, had a bracelet

Hi Jean - I'm assuming you'll hear from one of Col. Elliot's children. I know they would love to have the bracelet. I was able to make contact with the family before the 2 -14-2018 anniversary date. It's really an amazing and inspiring story as to the long search for his remains and that they were able to bring Col. Elliot home. I'm happy to share the contact information I have, and information I was sent. You can email me if you like.
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