Years of service 1952-1987 Education University of Oklahoma | Name Jack Merritt Rank General | |
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Born October 23, 1930 (age 93)
Lawton, Oklahoma ( 1930-10-23 ) Allegiance United States of America Awards Army Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (2) Commands held United States Army War College, United States Army Combined Arms Center Other work President of the United States, Association of the United States Army | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Jack Neil Merritt (born October 23, 1930) is a retired United States Army four-star general who served as U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP) from 1985 to 1987.
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Military career
Merritt was born in Lawton, Oklahoma 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).
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, the Honorary Board of the National World War II Museum, and Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Marshall Legacy Institute.