He retired in October 1973 with the rank of Captain, and was placed on the Navy's Permanent Disability Retired List. He then reported to the American Embassy in Taipei, Republic of China for duty as US Naval Attaché. In 1970 he graduated from the Defense Language Institute, reasonably proficient in Chinese Mandarin. For service in Viet Nam, as OKANOGAN CO, Merrill was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. In a unique set of order, he serves concurrently as commanding officer of OKANOGAN. In 1967, after a second series of joint staff assignments in Europe, Merrill assumed command of the attack troop transport PICKAWAY (APA-222). In 1964 he returned to submarine duty as Commander Submarine Division 52 in San Diego. Ever interested in languages, Merrill became fluent in French during his tours of duty in Paris. There followed a number of Joint Staff assignments with US European Command Headquarters, including duty with Special Forces Green Beret units in Europe. Following BESUGO, Merrill studied at the Armed Forces Stall College in Norfolk, VA. His second command was the BESUGO (SS-321), operating in the Pacific. Further submarine duty assignments were followed by his first command, the Atlantic-based submarine SEA DOG (SS-401). After a succession of submarine assignments, he reported for his first shore duty at the NROTC Unit at Oregon State College. Merrill served with pride on board HAWKBILL, completing two successful war patrols, for which he was awarded the coveted Submarine Combat Insignia. Shortly after, he learned that his step brother, Leonard had been killed in action on April 5th, 1945 in the battle for Okinawa. Following a three week honeymoon in San Francisco, Merrill reported on board his first ship, the HAWKBILL in Fremantle, Australia. This storybook, war-time wedding was the start of 65 years of a rewarding and happy marriage. They were married five weeks later in February 1945, in San Diego, CA. Browne in December 1944 while she was a student at Connecticut College for Women and he was a student officer at the Submarine School in New London. He was appointed a midshipman, entered the Academy in June, 1941, and graduated with credit in June 1944 with the class of 1945. In 1939, with World War II imminent, Merrill enlisted in the US Naval Reserve, and began studies at Boyden Prep School in San Diego, anticipating a competitive appointment to Annapolis from the Reserve. Merrill's maternal grandfather, James Ater was a talented horticulturist. They were among the earliest settlers of that tiny agricultural village. Walter's descendant farmed their way across America, ever one jump ahead of the Western Frontier, arriving in Chula Vista in 1910. Walter arrived in America in 1752 at Charleston, SC by way of Barbados. He was the direct descendant of our immigrant ancestor, Walter Kelly of Timahoe, Ireland. He was born on in Chula Vista, California, a small rural village close by the International border with Mexico. Personnel eligible to wear other secondary insignias, such as the SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia or the Deep Submergence Insignia, may only wear one insignia at a time according to their personal desire.Merrill E. The Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia is considered a "secondary insignia" and is typically worn in conjunction with a primary warfare badge, such as the Submarine Warfare Insignia. Successful patrols were those so designated by fleet commanders. A scroll beneath the submarine holds service stars, one gold star for each successful patrol after the first or a silver star for five successful patrols. The pin shows the broadside of a Gato-class diesel submarine. During and after the war several varieties were manufactured. Such patrols were last conducted during World War II. The Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia is a uniform breast pin worn by officers and men of the United States Navy's Submarine Service who have completed combat patrols during declared wars. US Navy uniform badge Submarine Combat Patrol insignia with 3 gold stars, denoting four successful patrols.
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