James C. "Jim" Merritt was born in Or. on March 6, 1922 and enlisted in the Army on October 19, 1942 at Portland, Or. At the time of enlistment he was single, and had completed three years of college. Merritt volunteered for the ski troops and joined Company I of the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash. He participated in the invasion of Kiska Island on August 15, 1943 and was later stationed at Camp Hale, Colo.; Camp Swift, Tex.; and in Italy. Merritt was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions at Torre Iussi on April 15, 1945. He died on May 1, 2008 in Anacortes, Wash.
From the description of James C. Merritt papers, 1942-1985 [manuscript]. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 757844246
