World War II United States Army General. Born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1922, and was deployed in Haiti and Panama. He had earned the rank of sergeant before gaining entrance into the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1929. After graduation he also earned a degree in military engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1932. In 1938, was assigned as Military Attaché to the US Embassy in Tokyo. In early 1941, he was assigned to Manila as an intelligence officer. After Pearl Harbor, he was transferred to Burma as a liaison officer for the British forces, and in 1942, he became General Joseph Stilwell's operations officer. In early 1943, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and took command of a Provisional Regiment trained for a long range penetration and hazardous duty. They were better known to history as Merrill's Marauders. From February until April 1944, the Marauders had fought battles at Walawbum, Shaduzup, Inkangahtawng and Nhpum Ga, and over 30 minor engagements. In March 1944, however, Merrill suffered a minor heart attack and was evacuated to India. He returned to service and met the Marauders for the Myitkyina campaign and the battle at Riptong. A second heart attack complicated by malaria followed. He was promoted to major general in September 1944, and by the following year was deputy commander of US forces in the China-India-Burma theater. He then served as chief of staff of the 10th Army, Okinawa in 1945. In 1947 he was assigned Chief of Staff of the Western Defense Command, Commander of the 6th Army, and Deputy Chief of the American Military Advisory Mission to the Philippines. He retired from active service in 1948 with the rank of Major General. As a civilian, he became New Hampshire Commissioner of Highways. He was elected President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials but suffered a fatal heart attack days later at age 52 before taking office. In 1962, a feature film, 'Merrill's Marauders,' was released, General Merrill was portrayed by actor Jeff Chandler. Camp Merrill, a U.S. Army training base located in the north Georgia mountains, is named for him.
World War II United States Army General. Born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1922, and was deployed in Haiti and Panama. He had earned the rank of sergeant before gaining entrance into the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1929. After graduation he also earned a degree in military engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1932. In 1938, was assigned as Military Attaché to the US Embassy in Tokyo. In early 1941, he was assigned to Manila as an intelligence officer. After Pearl Harbor, he was transferred to Burma as a liaison officer for the British forces, and in 1942, he became General Joseph Stilwell's operations officer. In early 1943, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and took command of a Provisional Regiment trained for a long range penetration and hazardous duty. They were better known to history as Merrill's Marauders. From February until April 1944, the Marauders had fought battles at Walawbum, Shaduzup, Inkangahtawng and Nhpum Ga, and over 30 minor engagements. In March 1944, however, Merrill suffered a minor heart attack and was evacuated to India. He returned to service and met the Marauders for the Myitkyina campaign and the battle at Riptong. A second heart attack complicated by malaria followed. He was promoted to major general in September 1944, and by the following year was deputy commander of US forces in the China-India-Burma theater. He then served as chief of staff of the 10th Army, Okinawa in 1945. In 1947 he was assigned Chief of Staff of the Western Defense Command, Commander of the 6th Army, and Deputy Chief of the American Military Advisory Mission to the Philippines. He retired from active service in 1948 with the rank of Major General. As a civilian, he became New Hampshire Commissioner of Highways. He was elected President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials but suffered a fatal heart attack days later at age 52 before taking office. In 1962, a feature film, 'Merrill's Marauders,' was released, General Merrill was portrayed by actor Jeff Chandler. Camp Merrill, a U.S. Army training base located in the north Georgia mountains, is named for him.
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