Jack N. Merritt | |
|---|---|
 General Jack N. Merritt | |
| Born | October 23, 1930 Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | January 3, 2018 (aged 87) Fort Belvoir, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1952–1987 |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands held | Artillery Center and School Army War College Combined Arms Center |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) |
| Other work | President, Association of the United States Army Chairman, United States Field Artillery Association |
Jack Neil Merritt (October 23, 1930 – January 3, 2018) was a United States Army four-star general who served as U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP) from 1985 to 1987.
Merritt was born in Lawton, Oklahoma[1] and entered the Army as a private in 1952 at the height of the Korean War and over the next thirty-five years rose to 4-star rank. From battery command in Korea to the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery at Fort Hood, Texas, he commanded at every level in the Field Artillery. His final assignment was as United States Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee from 1985 to 1987.
Merritt was the Honor Graduate of his Officer Candidate School class in 1953. He later earned a Bachelor of General Education degree in military science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha[2] and a Master of Science degree in business administration from George Washington University.[3] Merritt was also 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.
His decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Army Distinguished Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Silver Star and Legion of Merit (one oak leaf cluster).[1]
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star with V Device and two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Ribbon
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with V DeviceAfter retirement, he served as president of the Association of the United States Army and chairman of the United States Field Artillery Association. He has also served on the board of directors of the Army and Air Force Mutual Aid Association,[4] the Honorary Board of the National World War II Museum,[5] and secretary to the board of directors of the Marshall Legacy Institute.[6]
Merritt married Rosemary Ralston (December 18, 1928 – February 1, 2019) on October 31, 1953 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The couple had three sons, six grandchildren, and, as of 2019, three great-grandchildren.[7]
Merritt died on January 4, 2018, at the age of 87 at his home in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.[8][9] He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on May 18, 2018[10] and his wife was buried beside him on April 17, 2019.[11]
