Aaron S. Merrill

Aaron Stanton Merrill (March 26, 1890-February 28, 1961) also known as Tip Merrill was an American rear admiral during World War II who led American naval forces during the Solomon Islands campaign as well as the first admiral to use radar during wartime.

Military career

After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1912, Merrill taught naval science at Tulane University during the first two years of World War II until being assigned command of the USS "Indiana". After promotion to rear admiral in January 1943, Merrill would lead a cruiser-destroyer task force participating in the Battle of Guadalcanal and would later win distinction during the Bougainville campaign at the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay successfully defending ground forces against an assault by the Japanese fleet in a hard fought night battle. In March 1943, during the Solomon Island campaign, he would first introduce the use of radar against enemy naval forces at the Battle of Kula Gulf. For his efforts he received both the Legion of Merit and the Navy Cross.

Serving as Director of Office of Public Relations for the Navy Department from June 15, 1944 until April 23, 1945, Merrill would join a diplomatic delegation to meet with members of the Chilean government to discuss mutual defence policies in Santiago, Chile. While in attendance, Merrill's efforts to establish an American naval mission to Chile in place of the former British presence would earn him the title of Grand Officer of the Order of Merit by Chile.

In June 1946, after briefly serving for several months as commandant of the Eight Naval District in New Orleans, Louisiana, Merrill assumed command of Gulf Sea Frontier remaining in this post until being placed on the retired list in November 1947, eventually retiring a Vice Admiral. Moving first to Natchez, Mississippi and later to New Orleans following his retirement, Merrill would live with his wife until his death on February 28, 1961.

Personal life

Admiral Merrill was born March 26, 1890 at Brandon Hall in Adams County, Mississippi to parents Dunbar Surget Merrill and Charlotte Brandon Stanton. His 2nd great-grandfather was Gerard Chittocque Brandon, one of Mississippi's earliest governors.

He inherited the nickname "Tip" from his great-grandfather, who garnered the moniker after fighting in the Battle of Tippecanoe. His father, Aaron Stanton, a Confederate soldier, also was known as "Tip".

Merrill married New York native, Louise Gautier Witherbee on January 28, 1922; they remained together until their deaths in 1961 and 1967, respectively.

ee also

References

*Parrish, Thomas and S. L. A. Marshall, ed. "The Simon and Schuster Encyclopedia of World War II", New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978.

*Merrill appears in "Pacific War Diary: 1942 - 1945, The Secret Diary of an American Sailor", published by James J. Fahey (1918 - 1991), Seaman First Class on board the Admiral's flagship, the USS "Montpelier". Diaries, in general, were against Navy regulations, and so Fahey offers a rare view of not just life on the "Montpelier", but of wartime naval life in general. To this seaman the Admiral was a remote but favorable figure.

James J. Fahey, Pacific War Diary: 1942 - 1945, The Secret Diary of an American Sailor, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1991. ISBN 0-395-64022-9

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/7858/bios/merrillas.html Aaron Stanton Merrill]
*findagrave|17847328 Find A Grave: Adm Aaron Stanton Merrill]

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