Richard Elliot, Jr. '09
Date of birth: April 12, 1888
Date of death: March 19, 1918
Age: 29
Lucky Bag
From the 1909 Lucky Bag:
Richard McCall Elliot, Jr.
Lower Merion, Pennsylvania
"Dickie"
The democratic member of the "400." Has traveled widely is quite cosmopolitan and speaks French with a true Parisian accent. Will argue for hours on either side of any subject, punctuating his remarks with ape-like gesticulations, a la francaise.
Missed getting his well-deserved stripes by trying to help a classmate. He is always ready to assist one in French, listen to nonsense, or laugh at a bum joke. Considers hops pleasant, but views them with good perspective, and would really prefer a twelve-mile row any day. An overgrown boy with the sunny disposition of a child made strong by the virile
qualities of a man.
Though he has roomed four years with the Duke, Dickie is still sane.
His form in rowing is perfect, but, alas! in four years, training table grub has increased his weight only six ounces.
Crew Squad (4, 3, 2, 1). Red N 2d. Choir (3, 2, 1).
Loss
From Find A Grave:
He was distinguished for exceptional bravery onboard US destroyer Aylwin in 1915 by rescuing men in the flooded engine room after the boiler had exploded. He was killed onboard USS Manley on March 19, 1918, when her depth charges exploded in a collision with a British ship in the convoy that the Manley was escorting. He was "killed at sea . . . while on active service in European waters." The USS Elliot was named after him.
Richard was Manley's executive officer. He was survived by his wife and is buried in Pennsylvania.
Namesake
USS Elliot (DD 146) was named for Richard; the ship was sponsored by his widow.
Class of 1909
Richard is one of 9 members of the Class of 1909 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
