Jack N. Merritt

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.

Jack N. Merritt
General Jack N. Merritt
Born(1930-10-23)October 23, 1930
Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedJanuary 3, 2018(2018-01-03) (aged 87)
Fort Belvoir, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1952–1987
Rank General
Commands heldArtillery Center and School
Army War College
Combined Arms Center
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (2)
Other workPresident, Association of the United States Army
Chairman, United States Field Artillery Association

Military career

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.

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.

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]

Post military career

After 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,[2] the Honorary Board of the National World War II Museum,[3] and Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Marshall Legacy Institute.[4] Merritt died on January 4, 2018, at the age of 87 at his home in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.[5][6]

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document: "".

Media related to Jack N. Merritt at Wikimedia Commons

Military offices
Preceded by
Howard F. Stone
Commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College
June 26, 1982 - June 6, 1983
Succeeded by
Carl E. Vuono
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