Major General Merritt A. Edson
Popular during his time as Red Mike, Major General Merritt A. Edson served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a highly decorated military officer who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Navy Crosses twice, the Legions of Merit twice, and also the Silver Star.
He is held in high regard for the famous defense of Lunga Ridge at the time of the Guadalcanal Campaign in the second world war. After he passed out from flight school and got the rank of a Naval Aviator, Edson had several assignments to take care of in China and Central America.
He was the Marine Raider’s commanding officer during the commencement of World War II. Edson retired from the Marine Corps in 1947 and took up the post of National Rifle Association director, among other jobs. He breathed his last in 1955.