His father was Middleton Stuart Elliott Sr. (1841–1921), who served in the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

[1] Elliott was appointed from South Carolina to the United States Navy as a Passed Assistant Surgeon, with the rank of ensign.

In October 1899, Elliott was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) and ordered to Port Royal Naval Station, South Carolina.

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.

[1] Elliott's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914.

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.

[3] This article incorporates public domain material from Vice Admiral Middleton S. Elliott, Medical Corps, USN, (Retired), (1872-1952).