An undated photo Annette Amerman (left) and John “Jack” Elliott (right) at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va. (Courtesy of Annette Amerman)

John McClelland “Jack” Elliott, a historian and Marine aviation veteran who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, had a dry wit that kept people laughing, said Annette Amerman, his closest friend of 29 years.

“He would say stuff and you would think ‘Did he really just say that,’ ” Amerman said. “He would get this little glint in his eye, and you would see the mischievous kid was still in there.”

Elliott, from Springfield Va., died of a short illness at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia on March 22. He died in the company of Amerman and other close friends sharing their favorite stories and memories with him. He was 101. He has no surviving family members.

“It was the way he wanted to go. He had a happy life,” Amerman said. “He is now happily reunited with his wife, parents, brothers and all the other friends that have already predeceased him.”

An undated photo of John “Jack” Elliott at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va. (National Museum of the Marine Corps via Facebook)

Amerman, who says she is like a daughter he never had, met Elliott in 1995 when she was an intern for the Marine Corps History Division at Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va. Working as a historian of Marine aviation, Elliott would enlighten Amerman on Marine Corps history, making her want to pick his brain even more.

This was the start of a lifelong friendship, and they became inseparable. Though the age difference was 51 years, their love for history united them, and they spent almost three decades together full of learning, love and laughter.

“I told Jack one time that I asked God to send me a guy that I can care for and love, and who will care for and love me back,” Amerman said. “And I looked at him and said, ‘I got you Jack.’ He just roared with laughter, and I said, ‘Apparently you have to be more specific with God.’ ”

Elliott authored “Marine Aviation at Quantico 1918-1941,” a detailed publication about Marine aviation history. He wrote it, according to Amerman, because he was worried future generations would forget about his era. He trusted Amerman to keep his part of history alive, and that’s exactly what she plans to do as a historian at Naval History Heritage Command at the Washington Navy Yard.

“I wouldn’t be half the historian that I am if it weren’t for him,” Amerman said.

John “Jack” Elliott is promoted to captain on Dec. 30, 1956. (Courtesy of Annette Amerman)

An undated photo of John “Jack” Elliott as a gunnery sergeant after he returned from World War II. (Courtesy of Annette Amerman)

Elliott’s Marine Corps story began in 1942 when he enlisted as an aviation ordnanceman and was stationed at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

During WWII, he served with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 341, mostly in the Philippines. After the war ended in 1945, he reenlisted and spent eight more years as an enlisted Marine. After serving in Korea where he managed ammo dumps, Elliott was commissioned in 1953 as a second lieutenant at Quantico, Va., becoming a proud Mustang — a commissioned officer who began their career as an enlisted service member.

Once commissioned, he married the love of his life, Helen Giles, on Sept. 26. They had no children together.

He then deployed to Chu Lai, Vietnam, in 1965 with Marine Aircraft Group 12 as an ordnance officer handling outdoor storage and munitions. During his military career, he was stationed at Miami, Quantico, California and Japan.

On June 30, 1966, he retired as a major after serving 24 years in the Corps.

“He was proud of being a Marine, and he was honored to have served,” Amerman said.

On Sept. 26, 1953, John “Jack” Elliott and Helen Giles were married.  In the wedding party are Helen’s parents, Edward and Elizabeth (left) and John’s parents, Annie and Robert Elliott (right). (Courtesy of Annette Amerman)

An undated photo of John “Jack” Elliott (left) and his wife Helen Giles (right) after being engaged. This was his favorite photo of the two of them, and he carried it in his wallet every day. (Courtesy of Annette Amerman)

Elliott dedicated his life to service, research and writing. Shortly after retirement, he spent 18 years as a volunteer with the National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board of the Smithsonian, and after that, time at the Naval History Heritage Command as a naval aviation historian. In 1985, the Marine Corps Air Ground Museum in Quantico opened, and he volunteered his time there, too.

In 2006, the air ground museum was reconstructed into what is now the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Elliott, who saw the place built from the ground up, was one of the first to volunteer as a docent and considered it his second home. He often referred to himself as one of the oldest living artifacts at the museum and volunteered there until he was 100.

Amerman said he spent “tens of thousands of hours” volunteering as a docent, helping shape exhibits with extensive research and knowledge, and he found joy in sharing his era of Marine Corps history to visitors from around the world. If it weren’t for Elliott’s time and investment, Amerman said, the museum wouldn’t be half the place it is today.

An undated photo of John “Jack” Elliott at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va. (National Museum of the Marine Corps via Facebook)

“With the passing of Major John “Jack” Elliott, we bid farewell to a devoted Marine and a living connection to our history,” said a spokesperson of the National Museum of the Marine Corps. “Jack dedicated his life to service, first in uniform and later as a passionate steward of Marine Corps history. ... Even at 100 years old, Jack continued to share stories with visitors and bring history to life with a depth and authenticity that only a Marine of his era could provide. He will be missed, but his legacy will live forever.”

Elliott was born on April 9, 1923, in Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Annie and Robert — who was a World War I veteran. He had brothers named Bill and Doug who both served in the U.S. Air Force. His family moved from Canada to Santa Barbara, Calif., during his childhood, and he grew up watching the aircraft fly in and out of what was then known as Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara — sparking a lasting interest and passion.

An undated photo of John “Jack” Elliott as a grade schooler in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Courtesy of Annette Amerman)

A private memorial service will be held May 2 at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., and will immediately be followed by the burial at National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico. Visitation will be May 1 at the Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home & Crematory in Dale City from 6-8 p.m. It will be open to all who want to pay their respects.

“I want people to come and visit and tell funny Jack stories,” Amerman said. “He would be sitting upstairs looking at us and saying, ‘Oh, you people are so silly.’ .”

Amerman asks that if anyone wants to donate in Elliott’s name and memory, that they donate to their local SPCA or to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Elliott’s military achievements and awards include: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat V; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with three bronze stars; American Campaign Medal; Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars; World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; Korean Service Medal with four bronze stars; Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars; United Nations Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Korean War Service Medal; Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star; Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze stars; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation; Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation; Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation; and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star.