The Hinckley School

Joseph Adelbert Merrill 

 

(12/23/1948 – 12/1/1968)

WEST DENNIS, MA

Centered within a buffer of evergreen trees overlooking Horseshoe Cove off Route 28 in West Dennis is a large boulder flanked by the American and U.S. Marine Corps flags. A plaque embedded in the rock is a tribute to U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph A. Merrill, the only Dennis citizen who lost his life in the Vietnam conflict.

 

The early years

Born on Dec. 23, 1948 in Florida, Merrill moved to Dennisport with his family when he was very young. He graduated from Ezra H. Baker Elementary School in West Dennis and was a member of the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Class of 1966.

A member of Boy Scout Troop 75 in Dennisport, Merrill earned the rank of Life Scout, scouting’s second highest achievement. He loved canoeing, swimming, scuba diving and wrestling.

 

Brief service

Merrill enlisted in the Marines in the spring of 1968 and trained as an antitank assault man. He began his Vietnam tour on Aug. 15 at age 19 and was killed in action on Dec. 1 while on an operation in Quang Nam Province. He was laid to rest in a Harwich cemetery on his 20th birthday.

 

Viet Nam Memorial

Merrill’s service to his country is commemorated on Panel 37W, Row 18 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Remembrances to him left on the virtual wall include, “We remember,” “Never forgotten,” “Rest well, my brother,” and “Semper fi.” All are signed by U.S. Marines with whom Merrill served.

 

Ever faithful

Since 1985, members of various veterans groups have maintained Merrill Memorial Park. Recently, AMVETS Post 333 planted a mimosa tree, sea lavender and tiger lilies, adding to the tranquil beauty of their fallen brother’s memorial.