James Lee Merrick Jr.

James Lee Merrick Jr. grew up in Story County and graduated from Ames High School in the class of 1961. He attended Iowa State University and participated in the ROTC program. Merrick graduated in the class of 1965 and was commissioned as an officer in the Navy. He completed trainings at Pensacola, FL, Meridian, MS, and Corpus Christi, TX. Merrick became a pilot and specialized in photo reconnaissance. In August 1968 LT Merrick deployed to Vietnam aboard the USS HANCOCK. On October 3, 1968 after completing a surveillance mission over North Vietnam, Lt Merrick’s F-8 Crusader aircraft crashed into the sea. The 25-year-old’s body was recovered from the water and returned to Iowa. He was buried at the Ames Municipal Cemetery.