Art Elliott was born on August 5, 1929, in Bowie, Texas. He enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard on June 23, 1948, and received his commission on December 13, 1951. Capt Elliott entered active duty on October 14, 1961, as an Infantry Officer. He served at Fort Gordon, Georgia, from October 1961 to November 1963, when he was transferred to West Germany. Maj Elliott served with the 4th Armor Division in Germany from November 1963 to May 1966. In July 1966, he started his first tour in the Republic of Vietnam, where he served with the 1st Cavalry Division and then the 88th S&S Battalion. Elliott then served another tour in Germany, this time with the 3rd Infantry Division, from August 1967 to March 1969. He returned to the Republic of Vietnam for a second tour in May 1969, where he served with U.S. Military Assistance Command until he was captured by the North Vietnamese Army in South Vietnam on April 26, 1970. After spending 1,066 days in captivity, Col Elliott was released during Operation Homecoming on March 27, 1973. After hospitalization, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia, and then served with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, from July 1976 to April 1979. His final assignment was as Army Commander at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, from April 1979 until his retirement from the Army on September 30, 1980. Col Elliott and his wife Wanda retired to Colorado, and they had two sons together - Robin and Mark. Art Elliott died on November 9, 2012, and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

His Distinguished Service Cross Citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 25, 1963, has awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to LIEUTENANT COLONEL (THEN MAJOR) ARTICE W. ELLIOTT UNITED STATES ARMY for extraordinary heroism in action: Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Artice W. Elliott, Infantry, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action from 21 April 1970 to 26 April 1970, while serving as Senior Advisor, 3d Battalion, 42d Infantry Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. During this period the 3d Battalion was engaged in combat with elements of the 28th North Vietnamese Army Regiment in the vicinity of Dak Seang Special Forces Camp. Despite heavy direct and indirect fire weapons barrages at the onset of each attack, he would move to a position where he could direct air strikes, gunships, and artillery strikes, disregarding his own safety. He continued to expose himself, on numerous occasions taking the enemy under fire with his own rifle and hand grenades. With all of the advisory team either dead or wounded he assumed an even greater share of the advisory effort, moving about the position advising the Vietnamese Battalion Commander, comforting the wounded, and inspiring the soldiers by his courage and stamina. As the situation became more desperate he took command of the unit and planned an executed breakthrough of the enemy encirclement, staying behind to inspire an orderly withdrawal. He was last seen firing his weapon in an attempt to hold off the enemy so the others could escape. Lieutenant Colonel Elliott's personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.