Clifton Merriman

Clifton Merriman’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Clifton Merriman (ASN: 2336957), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 372d Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Bussy Farm, France, 27 September 1918. Corporal Merriman attacked with hand grenades an enemy machine-gun which was causing heavy losses to his platoon, and succeeded in killing the gunner and putting the gun out of action. He then organized the remainder of the platoon and led them to their positions in the trenches south of Bussy Farm.

Medaille Militaire 3R

Purple Heart

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Palm

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 29 August 1893, Cambridge, MA, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: African American
  • Death: 3 July 1989 Waltham, MA, United States
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Corporal
  • Company: [L]
  • Infantry Regiment: 372nd
  • Division: 93rd

Personal Narrative

Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Clifton Merriman was born to Dora Peoples Harris (1875-?) and an unknown father on 29 August 1893 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His stepfather, Henry Harris (1878-?) raised him nearly from infancy, as he had married Dora when Clifton was only four years old. Merriman grew up in Cambridge, completing up to his third year of high school; in the late 1910s, he began working for the Cambridge, Massachusetts Post Office (now known as the Clifton Merriman Post Office, named in his honor via federal mandate in 1993).

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Merriman enlisted in the U.S. Army on 1 April 1917; he was assigned to Co. L, 372nd Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division, AEF, and served as a Private until late 1918, until he was promoted to Corporal. Corporal Merriman received the Distinguished Service Cross, Croix de Guerre with Palm, and Medaille Militaire for his actions near Bussy Farm, France on 27 September 1918;

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Clifton Merriman (ASN: 2336957), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 372d Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Bussy Farm, France, 27 September 1918. Corporal Merriman attacked with hand grenades an enemy machine-gun which was causing heavy losses to his platoon, and succeeded in killing the gunner and putting the gun out of action. He then organized the remainder of the platoon and led them to their positions in the trenches south of Bussy Farm.” WD, G.O. No. 13.

Corporal Merriman also received the Purple Heart. Then-Staff Sergeant Merriman returned to the United States on an unknown date, and was Honorably Discharged on 27 February 1919

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Upon his return home, Merriman married fellow Cambridge-native Cornelia Mary Ashe (1893-1980) in 1920; the couple had one child, Esther Amy (1920-2013). The family continued to live in Cambridge; in 1930, in an apartment off of Griggs Street, in 1940, in a historic home on West Street. In that time, Merriman went from a mail-carrier position to Assistant Superintendent of the Cambridge Post Office- upon his retirement in 1958, he had served with the association for 39 years. Merriman also served as commander of the Isaac Wilson Taylor VFW Post (2443) in the late 1940s-early 1950s.

Merriman died of natural causes on 3 July 1989 at the home of his daughter; he is buried Mount Auburn Cemetery, Waltham, Massachusetts.