Merrill, Frank (Frank Dow), 1903-1955

Frank Dow Merrill was born on December 4, 1903. Merrill enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1922. He later attended the U.S.M.A. at West Point where he graduated in 1929. While serving as a military attache in Tokyo, Merrill learned Chinese and Japanese. Merrill served as intelligence officer to General Douglas McArthur just prior to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Shortly thereafter, Merrill became an aid to Lieutenant General Joseph W. Stilwell in the China-Burma-India Theater. In October 1943, Merrill led a group of irregular troops, known popularly as "Merrill's Marauders", on a long-range penetration into the Burmese jungles. Merrill was later promoted to the rank of major general; however, heart problems shortened his military career. Merrill died in 1955 while serving as New Hampshire Highway Commissioner.

From the description of Frank Dow Merrill papers, 1941-48. (Manchester City Library). WorldCat record id: 28261225

Frank Dow Merrill (b. Dec. 4, 1903, Hopkinton, Mass.-d. Dec. 11, 1955), Major General in the U.S. Army, graduated from West Point in 1929 and from M.I.T. in 1932. He was military attaché in Tokyo from 1938 to 1941, and deputy chief of staff for operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations early in World War II. In 1944 he organized and commanded “Merrill's Marauders,” 3,000 volunteers who infiltrated behind enemy lines in Burma and won every engagement. General Merrill became chief of staff of the Tenth Army after the War, and briefly the Sixth Army, before this highly-decorated officer retired in June 1948.

From the description of Merrill, Frank (Frank Dow), 1903-1955 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10599073