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Artice Weldon Elliott was born on 5 August 1929 in Bowie, Montague, Texas, United States to Jesse Madison Elliott (1892-1956) and Gladys Thompson (1896-1986).
He married Wanda Jean Wooldridge, daughter of Clyde Denver Wooldridge (1909-1980) and Robbie Berry (1911-1975) on 14 January 1949 in Kaufman County, Texas.
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He enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard on 23 June 1948 and received a commission on 13 December 1951. He entered active duty 14 October 1961 as an Infantry Officer serving at Fort Gordon, Georgia until November 1963. He was transferred to West Germany to serve with the 4th Armor Division from November 1963 until May 1966.
Art's first Vietnam tour began in July 1966 where he served with the 1st Cavalry Division and later with the 88th S&S Battalion. [1]
His second tour in the republic of Vietnam started in May 1969. He served with the U.S. Military Assistance Command until he was captured by the North Vietnamese.[2] He was a Senior Advisor, 3d Battalion, 42nd Infantry Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam when captured. On the day he was captured, he continued to direct air and artillery strikes when all the rest of the advisory team was either dead or wounded. As a last ditch effort, he attempted to hold off the Viet Cong troops so that the others could escape. He suffered shrapnel wounds in his legs which made movement difficult.
He was a Prisoner of War from 26 April 1970 until 27 March 1973. 1,066 days in captivity. [3]
He had been captured in Pleiku South Vietnam. His time in captivity was first spent in Laos. The first 30 days were spent in a hole in the ground in Laos. The cage was 8 feet square and his feet were kept in wooden stocks. Most of the time, the floor was covered with water. Interrogations were like inquisitions according to Art. Eventually they marched for 55 days to Hanoi over difficult and mountainous terrain. His weight went from 205 to 145 during this march. The guards struck them to make them move faster and the leeches were very bad. He reported that they arrived at a field camp near Hanoi and he was placed in solitary confinement for four months.
He eventually was taken to the Plantation where he was put in a cell with Ted Guy.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 25, 1963, has awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to LIEUTENANT COLONEL (THEN MAJOR) ARTICE W. ELLIOTT UNITED STATES ARMY for extraordinary heroism in action: Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Artice W. Elliott, Infantry, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action from 21 April 1970 to 26 April 1970, while serving as Senior Advisor, 3d Battalion, 42d Infantry Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. During this period the 3d Battalion was engaged in combat with elements of the 28th North Vietnamese Army Regiment in the vicinity of Dak Seang Special Forces Camp. Despite heavy direct and indirect fire weapons barrages at the onset of each attack, he would move to a position where he could direct air strikes, gunships, and artillery strikes, disregarding his own safety. He continued to expose himself, on numerous occasions taking the enemy under fire with his own rifle and hand grenades. With all of the advisory team either dead or wounded he assumed an even greater share of the advisory effort, moving about the position advising the Vietnamese Battalion Commander, comforting the wounded, and inspiring the soldiers by his courage and stamina. As the situation became more desperate he took command of the unit and planned an executed breakthrough of the enemy encirclement, staying behind to inspire an orderly withdrawal. He was last seen firing his weapon in an attempt to hold off the enemy so the others could escape. Lieutenant Colonel Elliott's personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
The [full ribbon set is available here.
He retired on 30 September 1980 as a full Colonel.
Art died on 9 November 2012 in Colorado Springs, El Paso, Colorado, United States at the age of 83. He was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs, El Paso, Colorado. Find A Grave: Memorial #108359115
Darlene Scott Kerr created Elliott-11816 on 20 May 2018, added bio, sources, photos. Part of personal Vietnam POW project. Not a family member of mine. If a family member who is a member of WikiTree wishes to take this over and has more information, please let me know.
Acadian heritage connections: Art is 21 degrees from Beyoncé Knowles, 21 degrees from Jean Béliveau, 21 degrees from Madonna Ciccone, 23 degrees from Rhéal Cormier, 21 degrees from Joseph Drouin, 22 degrees from Jack Kerouac, 21 degrees from Anne Murray, 24 degrees from Matt LeBlanc, 22 degrees from Roméo LeBlanc, 21 degrees from Azilda Marchand, 20 degrees from Marie Travers and 22 degrees from Clarence White on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.
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Categories: 4th Allied P.O.W. Wing | Laos | Hỏa Lò Prison | Plantation | Wounded in Action, United States of America, Vietnam War | Distinguished Service Cross (United States) | Legion of Merit | Bronze Star Medal | Purple Heart | Air Medal | Army Commendation Medal | Bowie, Texas | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs, Colorado | Prisoners of War, United States of America, Vietnam War | United States Army, Vietnam War