A Congressional Gold Medal honoring Merrill’s Marauders during World War II
Merrill’s Marauders battled in the jungles of Japanese-controlled Burma behind enemy lines. Today, just two veterans from the battalion named for its commander, Brigadier General Frank Merrill, remain. Soldiers traversed one thousand miles of Himalayan foothills, walking farther than any previous U.S. combat group. The men fought more than 30 battles against Japanese forces who outnumbered and outgunned them. According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Congressional Gold Medal for Merrill’s Marauders of World War II will be placed in the Smithsonian.
Japanese-Americans worked as intelligence interpreters and were vital to the unit’s effectiveness. The medal will be put at the Smithsonian, serving as a reminder to future generations of their sacrifice.
