Frank Merrill: Difference between revisions
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'''Frank Dow Merrill''' (born [[December 4]], [[1903]] in [[New Hampshire]] – died [[December 11]], [[1955]] in [[Fernandina Beach, Florida]]) is best remembered for his command of [[Merrill's Marauders]], officially the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional), in the [[Burma Campaign]] of [[World War II]]. Merrill's Marauders came under General [[Joseph Stilwell]]'s [[Northern Combat Area Command]]. It was a [[special forces]] unit modelled on the [[Chindits]]' [[long range penetration]] groups trained to operate from bases deep behind [[Japan]]ese lines. |
'''Frank Dow Merrill''' (born [[December 4]], [[1903]] in [[New Hampshire]] – died [[December 11]], [[1955]] in [[Fernandina Beach, Florida]]) is best remembered for his command of [[Merrill's Marauders]], officially the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional), in the [[Burma Campaign]] of [[World War II]]. Merrill's Marauders came under General [[Joseph Stilwell]]'s [[Northern Combat Area Command]]. It was a [[special forces]] unit modelled on the [[Chindits]]' [[long range penetration]] groups trained to operate from bases deep behind [[Japan]]ese lines. |
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Merrill had enlisted in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] in 1922 and earned the rank of [[Sergeant#United States|sergeant]] before attending [[West Point]] where he graduated in [[1929]]. In 1938, Merrill became the Assistant [[Military Attache]] in [[Tokyo]] where he studied the [[Japanese language]]. He joined [[General officer|General]] [[Douglas MacArthur]]'s staff in the [[Philippines]] in [[1941]] as a [[military intelligence]] officer. Merrill was on a mission in [[Rangoon]], [[Burma]] at the time of the [[Pearl Harbor]] attack and remained in Burma. |
Merrill had enlisted in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] in 1922 and earned the rank of [[Sergeant#United States|sergeant]] before attending [[West Point]] where he graduated in [[1929]]. In 1938, Merrill became the Assistant [[Military Attache]] in [[Tokyo]] where he studied the [[Japanese language]]. He joined [[General officer|General]] [[Douglas MacArthur]]'s staff in the [[Philippines]] in [[1941]] as a [[military intelligence]] officer. Merrill was on a mission in [[Rangoon]], [[Burma]] at the time of the [[Pearl Harbor]] attack and remained in Burma. |
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General Merrill oversaw the deployment of the 5307th Marauders into Burma in February 1944. In the final siege at Mykitina, Merrill alarmed at the casualties among his men, refused evacuation himself, while suffering a second heart attack. |
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General Merrill's awards and decorations include the [[Distinguished Service Medal (United States)|Distinguished Service Medal]], [[Purple Heart]], [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] , [[Legion of Merit]], and [[Combat Infantryman Badge]]. |
General Merrill's awards and decorations include the [[Distinguished Service Medal (United States)|Distinguished Service Medal]], [[Purple Heart]], [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] , [[Legion of Merit]], and [[Combat Infantryman Badge]]. |
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Revision as of 22:20, 13 September 2008
Frank Merrill | |
|---|---|
 Maj. Gen. Merrill | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1922- |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | 3rd Special Operations Squadron |
| Commands held | Merrill's Marauders |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Purple Heart Bronze Star Legion of Merit |
Frank Dow Merrill (born December 4, 1903 in New Hampshire – died December 11, 1955 in Fernandina Beach, Florida) is best remembered for his command of Merrill's Marauders, officially the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional), in the Burma Campaign of World War II. Merrill's Marauders came under General Joseph Stilwell's Northern Combat Area Command. It was a special forces unit modelled on the Chindits' long range penetration groups trained to operate from bases deep behind Japanese lines.
Merrill had enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1922 and earned the rank of sergeant before attending West Point where he graduated in 1929. In 1938, Merrill became the Assistant Military Attache in Tokyo where he studied the Japanese language. He joined General Douglas MacArthur's staff in the Philippines in 1941 as a military intelligence officer. Merrill was on a mission in Rangoon, Burma at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack and remained in Burma.
General Merrill oversaw the deployment of the 5307th Marauders into Burma in February 1944. In the final siege at Mykitina, Merrill alarmed at the casualties among his men, refused evacuation himself, while suffering a second heart attack.
General Merrill's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star , Legion of Merit, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
After World War II and service in the post war Philippines, Merrill became the New Hampshire Commissioner of Highways. He was elected President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials but died two days later.[1]
Camp Frank D. Merrill, near Dahlonega, Georgia, is home to the three-week mountain training phase of the United States Army Ranger School.
Merrill was played by Jeff Chandler in the 1962 Merrill's Marauders (film).
See also
References
- ^ www.fhwa.dot.gov
External links
  | This biographical article related to the United States Army is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 1903 births
- 1955 deaths
- American military personnel of World War II
- United States Army generals
- Recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal
- Recipients of the Purple Heart medal
- Recipients of the Bronze Star medal
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- People from New Hampshire
- United States Military Academy alumni
- United States Army Rangers
- United States Army personnel stubs