Marine Fighter Pilot’s Epic Stand at Battle of Wake Island: Lecture Series Kickoff for 2024-25

Greenwood, S.C.—

The 2024-25 Community Lecture Series, hosted by Lander University and the Arts Center of Greenwood, kicks off Tuesday, September 3, with an engaging lecture from Dr. William Ramsey, a professor of history at Lander University. The event, titled “Fighting Infamy: A Marine Fighter Pilot’s Epic Stand at the Battle of Wake Island,”, is based on research from Dr. Ramsey’s new book, “Wake Island Wildcat,” which is available for pre-order on Amazon and various other platforms.

The lecture, set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Arts Center of Greenwood, promises to offer insights into one of the most stirring stories of World War II. Event attendees can benefit from complimentary refreshments starting at 5:30 p.m., along with a cash bar. The best part? The event is free and open to the public, making it a great opportunity for community members to immerse themselves in a piece of fascinating history.

About the Event:

During December 1941, when the Japanese attacked Wake Island on the same day as Pearl Harbor, Marine pilot Henry T. Elrod rose to the challenge in his F4F Wildcat fighter. For two intense weeks, Elrod displayed extraordinary courage and skill, defending the American military base on the tiny Pacific atoll against waves of enemy planes and ships.

Elrod, who had attended Yale and played freshman football at the University of Georgia, had just arrived days before the battle as part of a squadron of twelve pilots. On December 10 and 11, he achieved remarkable feats, including taking on a group of twenty-two Japanese planes—shooting down two—and bombing and strafing the destroyer Kisaragi, sinking it with all hands. This made him the first American pilot to sink a warship with small-caliber bombs delivered by a fighter plane during WWII.

Once American aircraft were too damaged to continue flying, the pilots, including Elrod, joined the ground defense. Elrod commanded a sector of the beach and led the defense against repeated enemy assaults until he was killed just before the American surrender. Although the battle ended in a defeat, it buoyed American morale in a dark period of the war. Elrod, affectionately known as “Hammerin’ Hank,”, was posthumously promoted to major and awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry. He has been honored by having a US Navy frigate and a street at Marine Base Quantico named after him. Additionally, a piece of his plane is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum.

About Dr. William L. Ramsey:

Drawing on extensive research from military archives and materials from Elrod’s family, Dr. William L. Ramsey captures the full story of this heroic defense. An accomplished historian, poet, and professor at Lander University, Ramsey earned his Ph.D. from Tulane University in 1998. He has also taught at institutions such as Tulane, SUNY Oswego, and the University of Idaho.

Dr. Ramsey’s accolades include the 2005 Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award from the University of Idaho and Washington State University for civil rights activism, as well as the 2007 Outstanding Faculty Award from the University of Idaho Student Association. His scholarly articles have appeared in prominent journals such as the Journal of American History and the South Carolina Historical Magazine. His first book, “The Yamasee War: A Study of Culture, Economy and Conflict in the Colonial South,” won the 2008 George C. Rogers Jr. Award for best book of South Carolina history.

For more details, updates, and to confirm event times and venues, please visit www.lander.edu/events. Should you have any questions, you may contact Interim Assistant Provost Dr. Mark Rollins at 864-388-8563 or via email at mrollins@lander.edu.