BY RYAN O’CONNOR
Frank Dow Merrill, a World War II hero, and namesake of the Merrill’s Marauders, couldn’t have had any idea his uniform would end up in Dunbarton when he died in 1955.
But there it was, on display in the Dunbarton Community Center on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.
Merrill, who was born in Hopkinton, died of a heart attack at the age of 52 while living in Florida.
Christopher Gardner, son of Penelope Owen Gardner – one of Lucy Merrill’s (Frank’s wife) closest friends – inherited the uniform when his mother died three years ago.
“St. Andrews Church in Hopkinton used to have a theater group that was part of an art colony, and my mother and Lucy Merrill belonged to the group, where they became good friends in the late ’50s and early ’60s,” said Gardner. “At some point, Lucy gave all of Frank Merrill’s uniforms to my mom because she was a costumer, and my mother has had them ever since.”
Before her death, Gardner explained his mother requested the uniform find an appropriate location where its historical significance could be recognized.
“I’m just facilitating one of my mother’s wishes,” said Gardner. “I never felt like (the uniforms) belonged to any of us. They belong to history and I’m glad they are going to finally find a place to live so people can look at them and remember all that Frank Merrill did for this country.”
That’s where Gary Maccubbin, head of the Dunbarton American Legion, became involved.
At Gardner’s request, Maccubbin began searching for a home and found one with the state of New Hampshire, who will accept the gift at a June 13 Governor’s Council meeting and then hand the uniform over to the state’s Historical Society, which will likely place it on display at the State House in Concord.
“I’m elated and also relieved. I just can’t believe it because it almost took on a life of its own,” said Maccubbin. “I’m so happy the state has agreed to take this on. We all need heroes, and this is one of New Hampshire’s great heroes – someone who hasn’t recieved a lot of recognition – but will hopefully get a little more credit now.”
In addition to having a popular comic book, “Merrill’s Marauders,” named after the 5307 Composite Unit (Provisional), which he led on the first long-range penetration mission into the Asian corridor of the Pacific Theater (the Burma Campaign), Merrill spent much of his post-military years as a civil servant in both New Hampshire and Florida, even having a portion of the Everett Turnpike named after his group of soldiers.
This was a key point in United States Sen. John Sununu’s speech at the ceremony.
“Memorial Day is a time to recognize the sacrifice our men and women overseas are making, not only today, but historically as well. Gen. Merrill represents a great piece of our countries history – the mission of protecting our freedom during the second World War,” Said Sununu. “He also left a great history as someone who was not only a soldier, but a citizen and public servant, and to have his uniforms find a great place with the New Hampshire Historical Society is very fitting.”
The ceremony also included stories, poems and posters from several area children, patriotic music from the Hopkinton Town Band, visits from veterans who knew or were associated with Merrill during World War II, and food and refreshments to conclude the observance.
Among Merrill’s many military awards, Merrill recieved the Distinguished Service Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit and Combat Infantryman Badge.