Corporal William Elks, Jr.
Branch of Service: Marines
Years of Service: 1969-1972
Military Occupation: Combat Intelligence
Honors/Awards: National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Star
Cpl. Elks was born in Detroit, Michigan, and spent his youth in Lexington. He enlisted in the Marines in 1969. In 1970, he received top secret clearance for combat intelligence and was deployed to Vietnam. He served in country from May 1970-June 1971 as an anti-tank assault man and returned to Camp LeJune, North Carolina, where he was honorably discharged. After his time in the Marines, Elks lived in Lexington, where he and his wife raised three children.