Jack Neil Merritt
General, U.S. Army

Jack Neil Merritt was born on 23 October 1930 in Lawton, OK. He enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Private in 1952 at the height of the Korean War and over the next thirty-five years rose to 4-star General. From battery command in Korea to the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery at Fort Hood, TX, he commanded at every level in the Field Artillery.

He was the Honor Graduate of his Officer Candidate School class in 1953; top graduate of his Artillery Advance Course; Distinguished Graduate of the Air Command and Staff College; and Distinguished Graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Moreover, his career touched the entire Army school system. In 1977 he served on the general officer study group that reviewed the West Point honor code and he commanded the Artillery Center and School (1977-80); the Army War College (1980-82); and the Combined Arms Center, including the Command and General Staff College (1983).

He also served on the National Security Council staff and had additional assignments on Joint Staff and was the U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee (USMILREP) from 1985 to 1987. He retired from active duty in 1987.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor Device
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Vietnam Service Medal with Silver and Bronze Star
Humanitarian Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal with Gold Star
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
Parachutist Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
Office of Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

In Retirement

After his retirement in 1987, he served as president of the Association of the U.S. Army and Chairman of the U.S. Field Artillery Association. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Army and Air Force Mutual Aid Association; the Honorary Board of the National World War II Museum; and Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Marshall Legacy Institute.