GEN (Ret) Jack Merritt
Jack Merritt was born in Lawton, Oklahoma and entered the Army as a Private in 1952 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 Advanced 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.
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.