Middleton Stuart Elliott Middleton Stuart Elliott ( October 16 , 1872 – October 29 , 1952 ) was a United States Navy admiral and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the United States occupation of Veracruz . Biography . Elliott was born on October 16 , 1872 , in Beaufort , South Carolina . He was appointed from that same state to the U . S . Navy as a Passed Assistant Surgeon with the rank of ensign . After briefly serving at the Naval Laboratory in New York , he reported to then transferred to , where he participated in the Spanish – American War . In October 1899 , Elliott was promoted to lieutenant ( junior grade ) and ordered to Port Royal Naval Station , South Carolina . Following this duty , he served on , and . While at sea , he was promoted to lieutenant . In March 1903 , Elliott was promoted to Surgeon with the corresponding rank of lieutenant commander . In November , he reported to Naval Hospital Norfolk , Virginia . Two years later , he served in succession on board the monitor , and . In November 1908 , he was assigned to the Naval Hospital in Washington D . C . In mid - 1911 , Elliott was ordered to , transferring to . While on " Florida " , he participated as a Surgeon in the intervention at Vera Cruz , Mexico . On April 21 , 1914 , he quickly established a base hospital and supervised the removal of the wounded and field station operations until the city ' s capture the next day . For his " distinguished conduct in battle " on this occasion , he was awarded the Medal of Honor . That summer , he reported for shore duty at the Navy Recruiting Station in New York City . While on recruiting duty in August 1916 , he was promoted to Medical Inspector with the corresponding rank of commander . During World War I , he commanded the Naval Hospital and Supply Depot at Cañacao Bay , Philippines . In January 1918 , Elliott was promoted Medical Director with the corresponding rank of captain . Returning to Washington D . C . in December 1919 , he assumed command of the Naval Hospital . In April 1923 , Elliott served at the Mare Island Navy Yard , Vallejo , California , followed by a tour at the Puget Sound Navy Yard , Bremerton , Washington . In June 1927 , he was promoted to rear admiral . In June 1929 , he became the District Medical Officer for the Eleventh Naval District based in San Diego , California . Returning to Washington , D . C . three years later , he served on the Naval Retirement Board observing Medical and Naval Exams . Remaining in the area during the last quarter of 1933 , he became an inspector at the Medical Department Activities section within the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery . In January 1935 , Elliott became the president of the Naval Retirement Board . In December , he was appointed as the Inspector of Medical Department Activities for the Eleventh , Twelve , Thirteenth , and Fourteenth Naval Districts . In November 1936 , he retired and was placed on the retired list . During World War II , he was briefly recalled to active duty in February 1942 , was promoted to vice admiral , and then was placed back on the retired list with his promoted rank . Elliott died on October 29 , 1952 , and is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery , San Diego , California . In 2004 , the elementary school at the Marine Corps Base Beaufort , South Carolina , was named in his honor . Medal of Honor citation . Elliott ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For distinguished conduct in battle , engagements of Vera Cruz , 21 and 22 April 1914 . Surg . Elliott was eminent and conspicuous in the efficient establishment and operation of the base hospital , and in his cool judgment and courage in supervising first aid stations on the firing line and removing the wounded .