Frank D. Merrill

Brig. Gen. Frank Merrill, commanding general of infantry troops in Burma, poses between his Japanese-American interpreters (http://www.discovernikkei.org/dj/media/affiliates/img/njavc_sc-230632.jpg)

Having two older brothers at the United States Military Academy, one would understand why I chose a West Point Graduate as a hero. In spite of a brief life, General Frank D. Merrill had a significant impact on the world. Frank D. Merrill was born in December of 1903 and died in December 1955. He enlisted in the regular Army in 1922. He then graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1929. In 1938, he studied Japanese and Chinese at the US embassy in Tokyo. After this, Merrill was promoted to a major and became General Douglas MacArthur’s intelligence officer in Manila. While on a mission in Rangoon for MacArthur, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The United States declared war. Frank Merrill was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel during WW2 and received his first mission in Burma. Obviously, Frank Merrill had a deep sense of patriotism and dedication to remain in the military when the United States was at war.

General Merrill had many obstacles to overcome in creating a military supply road in Burma. The mission required 3,000 able young men for him to command. This was an extremely complex problem, considering that while at the height of the war, few men were available. Merrill and his men experienced many extreme challenges when on their assignment: thousands of blood sucking leeches that would leave permanent scars, high mountain ranges with extremely high temperatures as well as low temperatures, mosquitoes which carried malaria, the Japanese resistance, and bad weather to name a few. Not only was General Merrill able to keep his men’s morale high during the excursion, but, even with trying commands, they still kept a high respect for their general all the way until completion. Merrill must have been a strong leader and commander to overcome these many obstacles while keeping his men in line and still being held in high respect.

I admire General Merrill’s strong character. He had a good work ethic, was a strong leader, and led by example. Not only was Merrill able to persevere during trying circumstances, but he was able to push his men as well. While in Burma, his physical strain led to three heart attacks. General Merrill was airlifted to a hospital each time. Frank D Merrill returned though, finishing the mission with his men. For these reasons, I consider General Frank D. Merrill my hero.