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World War II Honoree

Killed in World War II

John Eldridge, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Norfolk, Virginia

Honored By

John Peterson

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

FROM 11 SEPTEMBER 1941 HE WAS COMMANDER, SCOUTING SQUADRON 71, ATTACHED TO WASP CV-7. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS ON 2 NOVEMBER 1942. FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN LEADING THE AIR ATTACK ON JAPANESE POSITIONS IN THE INITIAL INVASION OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS ON 7 AUGUST AND 8 AUGUST 1942, HE WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE NAVY CROSS. THE DESTROYER ESCORT USS ELDRIDGE DE-173 WAS NAMED IN HIS HONOR.