Eli was born on the 22nd of August 1878, in Hightstown, New Jersey, and he entered the US Military Academy in 1897 at the age of 19. He did not graduate with his initial class of 1901 but he did receive a commission to Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps on the 21st of March 1900. His early service sent him to Newport, Rhode Island, Panama, and Puerto Rico, before returning to the Marine Barracks in New York. From 1906 to 1908, Eli spent time in the Philippines before serving as the Post Quartermaster for the Marine Barracks in Annapolis, Maryland, and then commanding detachments on board the USS Louisiana, USS New Hampshire, and USS Alabama. He deployed to Vera Cruz from Florida and it was his actions there that would later earn him the Medal of Honor. The citations reads:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. In both days' fighting at the head of his company, Capt. Fryer was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.

Even though he was still in the Marine Corps during World War 1, I am unable to find any information that details his service at that time. I do know that he retired from the Marine Corps in July of 1934 as a Colonel after 34 years of service and was promoted to Brigadier General while on the retired list eight months later. Eli Thompson Fryer died on the 6th of June 1963, at the age of 84 and is buried with his wife, Mary, in Arlington National Cemetery: Section 34, Lot 120-A.