George McElroy

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Captain George Edward Henry McElroy MC and Two Bars, DFC and Bar (May 14, 1893-July 31, 1918) was a leading "scout" pilot of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I.

Born in Dublin, McElroy joined the Royal Irish Regiment in 1914 and was gassed while serving in France. He transferred to the RFC and joined 40 Squadron in 1917, where he benefitted from "tutoring" by Edward Mannock. By year end McElroy was flying SE-5s and claimed his first victory on December 28.

An extremely aggressive dog-fighter who ignored often overwhelming odds, McElroy's score soon grew rapidly, and he was transferred to command a flight in Number 24 Squadron in February 1918. He was injured in an accident in early April when he had run his score to 27.

Following convalescence, McElroy returned to 40 Squadron in June. He added to his score almost daily, totaling 17 victories in July. However, his continued apparent disregard for his own safety when flying could have only one inevitable end. On the 31st he failed to return from a flight and was posted missing. Later the Germans dropped a note saying that McElroy had been killed by ground fire. He was 25 years old.

McElroy's decorations included the Military Cross and two bars and Distinguished Flying Cross and bar. His 46 victories represented 26 & 2 shared airplanes, three balloons destroyed plus 15 planes "out of control".

McElroy is buried at the Laventie Military Cemetery in northern France.