Merritt Austin Edson | |
|---|---|
 "Red Mike" Edson | |
| Nickname(s) | Red Mike Mad Merritt the Morgue Master |
| Born | April 25, 1897 Chester, Vermont, US |
| Died | August 14, 1955 (aged 58) Washington, D.C., US |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1917–1947 |
| Rank |  Major general |
| Unit | 4th Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division 1st Marine Division |
| Commands | 1st Marine Raider Battalion 5th Marine Regiment Service Command |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Navy Cross (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom) |
| Spouse(s) | Ethel Winifred Robbins Edson (1896–1985) |
| Children | Merritt Austin Edson, Jr. (1922–1994) Herbert Robbins Edson (1931- 2024 ) |
| Other work | Commissioner of the Vermont State Police Executive Director of the National Rifle Association of America |
Merritt Austin Edson, Sr. (April 25, 1897 – August 14, 1955), known as "Red Mike", was a major general in the United States Marine Corps, First President of the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation and First Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Safety & Vermont State Police.
Among the decorations he received were the Medal of Honor, two Navy Crosses, the Silver Star, and two Legions of Merit. He is best known by Marines for the defense of Lunga Ridge during the Guadalcanal Campaign in World War II.
He received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marines in October 1917, and served in France and Germany in World War I. After the war he held several positions until going to flight school in 1922. After graduating flight school and being designated a Naval Aviator, he performed several assignments in Central America and China. It was in Central America where he received his first Navy Cross and the Nicaraguan Medal of Merit with Silver Star.
When World War II started Edson was sent as the commanding officer of the Marine Raiders and earned his second Navy Cross on Tulagi. When his unit was sent to fight on Guadalcanal, Edson led his men in fighting for which he would later receive the Medal of Honor.
After World War II Edson held several commands until retiring from the Marine Corps on August 1, 1947. After retirement he had several jobs, including the director of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA).