Frank Merrill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Merrill
|
|
|---|---|
Frank Merrill, left, with General Joseph Stilwell
|
|
| Born | December 4, 1903 Hopkinton, Massachusetts |
| Died | December 11, 1955 (aged 52) Fernandina Beach, Florida |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1922–1948 |
| Rank | Brigadier general  |
| Commands held | Merrill's Marauders |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Bronze Star Legion of Merit Purple Heart |
Frank Dow Merrill (born December 4, 1903 – died December 11, 1955) was a brave U.S. Army general. He is famous for leading a special group of soldiers called Merrill's Marauders. This unit fought during World War II in a tough jungle area called Burma. The Marauders were a special forces team. They were trained to go deep behind enemy lines. Their goal was to surprise and fight Japanese forces.
Contents
Becoming a Leader: Merrill's Early Life
Frank Merrill grew up in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He finished high school there. In 1922, he joined the U.S. Army. He quickly became a Staff Sergeant.
Merrill then went to West Point, a famous military school. He graduated in 1929. He also earned a degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In 1938, Merrill became a Military Attaché in Tokyo. This meant he worked for the U.S. Army in Japan. He even learned to speak the Japanese language.
Merrill's Role in World War II
In 1941, Merrill joined General Douglas MacArthur's team. He worked as an intelligence officer in the Philippines. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Merrill was in Rangoon, Burma. He stayed in Burma after the Japanese invaded.
In November 1943, Merrill became a brigadier general. He was almost 40 years old. This made him one of the youngest American generals since the American Civil War. It was amazing because he had only been an officer for 14 years. He was promoted again to major general in September 1944.
Leading Merrill's Marauders
In 1943, General Merrill was chosen to lead a new U.S. Army unit. This special group was made of volunteers. It was based on British units called the Chindits. These units fought behind enemy lines in Burma.
The U.S. Army officially named Merrill's unit the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional). But war reporters gave them a cooler name: Merrill's Marauders. General Merrill trained these soldiers. He sent them into Burma in February 1944.
Marauders in Action: Fighting in Burma
The Marauders fought for over five months in Burma. They traveled 750 miles through thick jungle. This was some of the toughest land in the world. They fought in five major battles. They also had 32 smaller fights with the Japanese Army.
The soldiers faced many challenges. They fought Japanese soldiers, hunger, and sickness. They covered more jungle on their patrols than any other U.S. Army unit in the war.
On March 29, General Merrill had a heart attack. Colonel Charles N. Hunter took over command. In their last mission, the Marauders attacked a Japanese base at Myitkyina. Many soldiers were killed, wounded, or got sick.
By the time Myitkyina was captured, only about 200 original Marauders were left. On August 10, 1944, the 5307th unit was officially ended. Only 130 soldiers were still able to fight.
After the War: A New Path
After World War II, Merrill served in the Philippines. In 1946, he worked with General Stilwell in San Francisco. That same year, Merrill and Stilwell helped stop a prison riot. This happened at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. It is known as the Battle of Alcatraz.
The Army became smaller after the war. So, Merrill's rank was changed back to brigadier general in 1946. He retired from the Army in 1948. The next day, he was promoted to brigadier general on the retired list.
After leaving the Army, Merrill became the Commissioner of Highways for New Hampshire. In December 1955, he was elected president of a group called the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Sadly, he died two days later.
Merrill's Lasting Legacy
In 1992, General Merrill was honored. He was added to the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame. He was part of the very first group to be inducted.
A bridge in New Hampshire is named after Merrill's Marauders. It crosses the Souhegan River. This bridge was one of Merrill's favorites.
There is also a training camp named after him. Camp Frank D. Merrill is in Dahlonega, Georgia. It is where soldiers learn mountain training for U.S. Army Ranger School.
The U.S. Army also gave all members of Merrill's Marauders a special award. It is called the U.S. Army Ranger Tab.
Awards and Decorations
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Bronze Star Medal
- Purple Heart
- American Defense Service Medal with "Foreign Service" clasp
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three campaign stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Honorary Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE)
Images for kids
-
Frank Merrill, left, with General Joseph Stilwell
