James W. Merritte

James Merritte was born in Virginia on June 22, 1948. After graduating in 1967 from East End High School, Retired Sgt. First Class Merritte enlisted in the Army. Upon completion of basic training in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, he entered signal school and soon after was assigned to Vietnam, where he served a total of 18 months with the 53rd Signal Battalion, one year in Germany, 6 months in Panama and the remaining duty stateside.

Retired Sgt. First Class Merritte was also attached to the 2/32 Artillery, a 175th Artillery Unit and completed two years of study at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business.

Throughout his military career, Retired Sgt. First Class Merritte served in Military Justice, as a Radio Relay and Carrier Operator, in Army Maintenance and Army Management, as a Basic Non-commission Offi cer Course Phase 1 & 2 and as an Advance Non-Commission Offi cer Course Phase 1 & 2.

Retired Sgt. First Class Merritte is a member of the American Legion Post 1487, a Life Member VFW Post 7166, a Life Member DAV and a Life Member WA 82.

For his service to his country, Retired Sgt. First Class Merritte is the recipient of numerous awards and citations. Some of the honors include: a Certifi cate of Appreciation from Thomas R. Suozzi; a Certifi cate of Appreciation from Rev. Joe L. Brown; a Citation from the
Nassau County Offi ce of the Executive, Edward D. Mangano; a Citation from Assemblyman Joseph S. Saladino and the New York State Assembly, in affi liation with the Vietnam Veterans of America; the 2011 Town of Hempstead Veterans Medal from Supervisor Kate
Murray; the Winston A. Grant Humanitarian Award from the Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray; a Letter of Appreciation from New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., the State of New York Medal for Merit from the Adjutant General, Patrick A. Murphy;
the State of New York Conspicuous Service Star from the Governor, Andrew M. Cuomo and many others.

Retired Sgt. First Class Merritte proudly acknowledges his family members who have followed in his footsteps, including his brother, son, nephew, a granddaughter in the Navy and three grandsons in the United States Air Force.

As an Agent Orange victim with diabetes, Retired Sgt. First Class Merritte now spends his time reaching out to fellow veterans, educating them on the many services at their disposal.