John Porter Merrell
John Porter Merrell | |
---|---|
Rear Admiral | |
Commands held | |
Battles/wars | Spanish–American War |
Merrell was born in Auburn, New York, on 7 September 1846, the son of John Camp Merrell and the former Jane A. Allen.[1] He entered the United States Naval Academy on 20 July 1863,[2][3] graduating in June 1867.[4][5]
Merrell's first assignment was to the European Squadron from 1867 to 1870. While there, he served aboard the screw sloop-of-war USS Ticonderoga from 1867 to 1868, was promoted to ensign on 18 December 1868,[6] and served aboard the screw sloop-of-war USS Plymouth from 1869 to 1870.[7]
Merrell returned from
After returning from the expedition, Merrell – who was promoted to
In 1879, Merrell returned to sea, serving aboard the third-rate screw
After leaving Shenandoah, Merrell taught
Merrell again taught mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1889 to 1893, serving as head of the
Merrell was promoted to
Leaving Glacier, he became the equipment officer at the
Relinquishing command of Oregon, Merrell returned to Newport, Rhode Island, to become the 11th President of the Naval War College on 24 May 1906. While president, he was promoted to rear admiral on 19 March 1907. The most notable event of his presidency was the suspension by direction of President Theodore Roosevelt of the 1908 summer course on 8 July so that the General Board of the United States Navy, the bureau chiefs of the United States Department of the Navy, and the college's staff and students could participate in a "Battleship Conference" at the college, with Roosevelt himself visiting to chair the conference for a day on 22 July 1908. Secretary of the Navy Victor H. Metcalf closed the conference on 1 September 1908.[24][25]
Merrell was placed on the retirement list on 7 September 1908, but at the request of Secretary of the Navy Metcalf remained on active duty for an additional 13 months until 6 October 1909, when his college presidency ended and he left active Navy service.[26][27]
Personal life
Merrell married Sarah Frances Tyler on 22 January 1872. The couple made their home in her home town, Marshall, Michigan.[28]
Merrell was a life member of the
Death
Merrell fell ill while visiting his daughter and son-in-law in New London, Connecticut, late in 1916, and died in their apartment on 8 December 1916. He is buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery.[30]
Notes
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Hamersly, p. 235.
- ^ Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–1900. Archived 2013-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hamersly, p. 235.
- ^ Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–1900. Archived 2013-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–1900. Archived 2013-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hamersly, p. 235.
- ^ Hamersly, p. 235.
- ^ Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–1900. Archived 2013-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Anonymous, "The Darlen Surveying Expedition, The New York Times, September 18, 1870, p. 5.
- ^ Hamersly, p. 235.
- ^ Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–1900. Archived 2013-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hamersly, p. 235, and Marquis, p. 1306
- ^ Hamersly, p. 235.
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–1900. Archived 2013-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–1900. Archived 2013-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ U.S. Naval War College Chronology of Courses and Significant Events 1900–1909
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Past Presidents page at Naval War College official Web site Archived 2010-11-30 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Anonymous, "Admiral Merrell Retires; Will Give Up Presidency of Naval War College Today," The New York Times, October 6, 1909.
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Marquis, p. 1306.
- ^ Anonymous, "Death of Rear Admiral John Merrell: Former Resident Passed Away Today at Apartments of Daughter, New London", The Marshall News Statesman, December 8, 1916
References
- Anonymous, "The Darlen Surveying Expedition," The New York Times, September 18, 1870, p. 5.
- Past Presidents page at Naval War College official Web site
- Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–1900.
- Anonymous. "Admiral Merrell Retires; Will Give Up Presidency of Naval War College Today." The New York Times, October 6, 1909.
- Anonymous. "Death of Rear Admiral John Merrell: Former Resident Passed Away Today at Apartments of Daughter, New London." The Marshall News Statesman, December 8, 1916.
- Hamersly, Lewis Randolph. The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, Bedford, Massachusetts: Applewood Books, 1878.
- Marquis, Albert Nelson, ed. Who's Who in America: A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of the United States, Volume VI, 1910–1911. Chicago: A. N. Marquis & Company, 1910.
External links
- Johnston Family Papers, 1865-1992 MS 452 held by Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library at the United States Naval Academy