Private First Class Russell Hamler, the last surviving member of World War II’s “Merrill’s Marauders,” has passed away at the age of 99 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These marauders were a special Army unit that played a pivotal role in liberating Japanese-occupied Burma during the war, despite facing disease, harsh jungle conditions, and overwhelming enemy forces. The unit’s achievements, although resulting in heavy casualties, contributed to the eventual formation of the modern 75th Ranger Regiment and were even adapted into a Hollywood film. In 2020, the government approved awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the surviving members of Merrill’s Marauders, with Hamler receiving his in 2022.
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