Captain Elwood J Euart
A life given in service to others
An undeniable act of self-sacrifice
Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on 28 January 1914, Elwood Joseph Euart was the eldest of seven children. He attended local schools before enrolling at Rhode Island State College in 1935, where he combined academic study with an active student life. He participated in athletics, held leadership roles across several organisations, and completed his studies in Agriculture while training through the U.S. Army ROTC program. In June 1939, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery.
On 6 October 1942, Captain Euart departed San Francisco aboard the troopship SS President Coolidge, bound for the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) with elements of the 43rd Infantry Division. By the time the ship approached Espiritu Santo on 26 October, defensive minefields had been laid to protect the harbour—information that had not been included in the vessel’s sailing orders.
Entering what appeared to be a safe channel, the Coolidge struck two mines in quick succession. With the ship critically damaged, the captain ran her aground and ordered an immediate evacuation. Over the next ninety minutes, 4,998 men made their way safely ashore.
During the evacuation, Euart learned that a group of soldiers remained trapped below decks in the ship’s infirmary. He organised a rescue, securing a rope around his waist and having himself lowered into the heavily listing vessel through a sea door. From within the ship, he held the rope steady, enabling the trapped men to climb to safety.
As the final men escaped, the Coolidge shifted and began to slide from the reef towards deeper water. Exhausted and unable to climb out in time, Euart was still inside as the ship went down. His actions ensured the survival of those he reached.
For his conduct, Captain Euart was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart and the Rhode Island Cross.
Captain Euart's Distinguished
Service Cross Citation
The Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) is awarded to Captain Elwood J. Euart, Field Artillery, United States Army for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 103d Field Artillery Battalion. 43d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 26 October 1942. Captain Euart lost his life after helping to save a number of other men at the time of the sinking of the U.S. Army Transport PRESIDENT COOLIDGE. Learning of a group of soldiers trapped in the infirmary of the ship, he reentered the sinking ship to assist the trapped men. By lashing himself to the lower end of a rope, he was able to hold it tight enough for the men to climb to safety, even though the ship was listing badly. When he finally attempted to climb the rope himself, it was hanging almost vertically. As he climbed, the ship careened and sank. Captain Euart’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 43d Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Captain Euart was a son of Rhode Island who answered the call to service during World War II and gave his life saving other soldiers. He was a Boy Scout for six years in Troop 602. The troop was renamed the Captain Elwood J. Euart Troop, and a Sea Scout ship was named after him. In New Zealand, Camp Euart was named after him; In New Hebrides, Euart Passage is named after him; and in Espiritu Santo, Euart Airfield is named after him. In his home town of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the Elwood J. Euart VFW Post 602 is named in his honor. He is a heroic member of the “Greatest Generation.”
Captain Euart’s nieces and nephews: (L-R) Sister of Mercy Sharon Euart, Woody and John F Euart and Linda Euart Kelleher, hold the flag that was draped over Captain Euart’s coffin at St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
The family today
Though unmarried, Elwood was survived by six siblings: Rita, Monica, John, Eleanor, Leonard and Ruth, all now deceased. Today he is remembered through eleven nieces and nephews:
Elwood Vallee of East Wakefield, New Hampshire
Sister Sharon Euart, RSM, of Silver Spring, Maryland
John Gallagher of East Blue Hill, Maine
Linda Euart Kelleher and John F. Euart, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia
Elizabeth Badger of Morrisonville, New York
Elwood J. Euart II of Irving, Texas
Paul Vallee of Bethel, Vermont
Leonard Euart of North Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Charles Vallee of Oneida, New York
Michelle Wise of Greer, South Carolina
Captain Euart returns home
In August 1948, a U.S. Army recovery team visited Espiritu Santo to locate and recover personnel from several wartime sites, including the Coolidge. Due to the depth of the wreck, Captain Euart’s remains were considered unrecoverable.
More than seventy years later, that changed. In 2012, local diver Rex Moli identified possible human remains within the wreck at a depth of around 50 metres. The discovery was reported through official channels, eventually reaching the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).
A preliminary recovery confirmed the significance of the find and led to a full operation in March 2015. A specialist U.S. team travelled to Santo with dedicated equipment, working alongside local operators including Allan Power Dive Tours and Santo Island Dive. Over the course of a week, remains and associated material were recovered and sent to Hawaii for forensic identification.
DNA testing confirmed the remains as those of Captain Elwood J. Euart.
He was repatriated to the United States with full military honours. A ramp ceremony was held at Santo-Pekoa International Airport before his return home, marking the conclusion of a long process of recovery and identification.
Captain Euart was laid to rest in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, beside his parents at St. Francis Cemetery, with full military honours.
Captain Elwood J Euart starts the long trip home on board a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster, following a ramp ceremony at Santo International Airport.
Captain Euart’s coffin is carried to its final resting place at St. Francis Cemetery, Rhode Island.