Name: Merriman Daniel WILLARD
Rank / Rating: PM2-Pharmacist's Mate Second Class
Service #: 667 15 22
DOB: Aug 29, 1918
From: Richford, Vermont
Parents: Harold and Olga Willard
Went Aboard: October 25, 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 26 years, 11 months, 1 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Admin
Date Posted:

Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Willard was born August 29, 1918, in Richford, Vermont. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves on December 15, 1942.

Following training at Chelsea Naval Hospital, Massachusetts, he was stationed at Norfolk Naval Hospital, Virginia, prior to being assigned to USS Indianapolis as an operating room technician. He went aboard Indianapolis on October 25, 1944. During his service, he wore four battle stars on his Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon and saw heavy action with the ship at Tokyo, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Merriman, or Danny as he was called, was lost at sea during the sinking of Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. Danny was survived by his fiancee, Marion D. McGill of St. Johnsbury, Vermont; his parents, Harold and Olga Willard; his grandmother, Lydia Daniels, all of Burlington, Vermont; as well as a sister, Mrs. Herbert (Marjorie) Thompson, and a son, Earl Grue and daughter, Susan E. Harp of Pocatello, Idaho. Danny has long been remembered for his character, love of beauty and value of friendship endearing him to all who knew him.