Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

HQ, 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division "Hell On Wheels", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1944

Headquarters, 2nd Armored Division, General Orders No. 27 (1944).
Citation unavailable.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

HQ, 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division "Hell On Wheels", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

February 28th, 1945

Lieutenant Colonel Wheeler G. Merriam, 0291585, Infantry, 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, United States Army, for gallantry in action. On 12 September 1944, Colonel Merriam directed an armored attack on enemy installations located at the far end of a destroyed bridge across a canal in Belgium. The enemy was firing antitank guns, mortars and machine guns into the column as it advanced. In order to better view the situation, Colonel Merriam fearlessly directed his driver to move to the head of the column. When his armored car was hit by enemy antitank fire and his driver wounded, Colonel Merriam and his crew dismounted, the driver falling in front of the still slowly-moving vehicle. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and heedless of the enemy machine-gun fire, Colonel Merriam stopped the car, rendered first aid to the wounded man and moved him to cover. The gallantry and courage of Colonel Merriam reflect much credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Massachusetts.

Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 58 (28 February 1945).
This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave Cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first award.