Edson, Merritt Austin, 1897-1955

Merritt Austin Edson (1897-1955), known as "Red Mike", began college in 1915 then joined the Vermont National Guard in the summer of 1916. While he did return for one more year, he enlisted in the Marine Corps as a on June 26, 1917 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on October 9, 1917. He served in the Europen Theater during WWI without combat. He was promoted to first lieutenant on June 4, 1920 and spent the nect five years training in Virginia, Louisians, and Texas. He spent several years of service in Central America and China and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on April 1, 1940, just months before the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He was awarded the Medal of Honor awarded for actions at Guadalcanal on September 13-14, 1942. Lt. Col. Edson led a battalion known as "Edson's Raiders" against the Japanese. During a 10 hour Japanese attack on Henderson Field, he rallied and led his troops, exposing himself to repeated enemy fire. After Guadalcanal, he was promoted to command the 5th Marine Regiment, then Chief of Staff for the Pacific Fleet Marine Force, and as Commanding General of the Pacific Fleet Marine Forces' Service Command. He served 44 months in the Pacific Combat zone. He retired from the Marine Corps on August 1, 1947 After retirement, he served as Commissioner of the Vermont State Police then President of the National Rifle Association (NRA). In July 1951, he moved to Washington D.C. to become the executive director of the NRA. He died on August 14, 1955 by his own hand.