Lewie G. Merritt
| Lewie Griffith Merritt | |
|---|---|
MajGen Lewie G. Merritt
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Griff" |
| Born |
June 26, 1897 Ridge Spring, South Carolina |
| Died | March 24, 1974 (aged 76) Fort Sam Houston, Texas |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1917-1947 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Commands held |
Marine Fleet Air, West Coast 4th Marine Aircraft Wing 1st Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Legion of Merit Bronze Star (2) |
| Other work | Lawyer, Director of the South Carolina Legislative Council |
Lewie Griffith Merritt (nicknamed "Griff") (June 26, 1897 – March 24, 1974) was a major general and early aviator in the United States Marine Corps. Merritt served over 30 years in the Marine Corps, including service in World War I at Belleau Wood and as an aviator during World War II in both the European and Pacific Theaters. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Merritt practiced law in South Carolina.
Lewie Merritt was born on June 26, 1897 in Ridge Springs, South Carolina. In 1917, Merritt graduated from The Citadel at the age of 19 and received a commission in the Marine Corps. He served in the Dominican Republic that same year, and in 1918 served in France during World War I. He and several other Citadel graduates became a part of the famous 'Devil Dogs' of Marine Corps legend at the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918. Following the war Merritt served on the staff of 2 Marine Corps Commandants and was commander of the Marine detachment on the battleship USS New Mexico. In 1923, Merritt began training as a naval aviator at Pensacola Naval Air Station; he received his "Wings of Gold" in January, 1924. In 1928 he received a law degree from George Washington University followed by service with the Navy Judge Advocate Generals Office in Washington, DC. Merritt became one of the first Marine aviators qualified to fly off aircraft carriers and is credited with developing the concepts of dive bombing and close air support; his advocacy of air power was instrumental in helping integrate aviation into Marine combat doctrine. Merritt commanded an observation squadron in Haiti and attended the Army Air Corps Tactical School; in 1941 he was assigned as commander for air, Fleet Marine Force Pacific where he was responsible for establishing the 2d Marine Air Wing in Hawaii and bolstering defenses at Wake and Midway Islands. In January 1942 he was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned as Air Attache at the US Embassy in London.
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