Merritt Austin Edson

On the night of 13 and 14 September 1942, the Marine line south of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal was close to breaking. Japanese troops had penetrated the defenses, exhausted Marines were falling back, and one of the most important airfields in the Pacific was in danger. Colonel Merritt Austin "Red Mike" Edson remained on the ridge, reorganized his men under fire and personally directed the defense through repeated enemy attacks.

By morning, the Marines still held the ground.

For his leadership that night, Edson received the Medal of Honor, and the battlefield became permanently associated with his name as Edson's Ridge. Yet Guadalcanal was only one chapter in a remarkable career that took him from the Mexican Border and First World War to Nicaragua, China, Tulagi, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian.

From Vermont to the Marine Corps

Merritt Austin Edson was born on 25 April 1897 in Rutland, Vermont, and grew up in Chester. While attending the University of Vermont, he joined the 1st Vermont Infantry, Vermont National Guard, in 1915.

In June 1916, Edson deployed with the regiment to Eagle Pass, Texas, during the Mexican Border mobilization. His qualifying service is represented by the Mexican Border Service Medal.

After the United States entered the First World War, Edson joined the Marine Corps Reserve in June 1917 and received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Regular Marine Corps that October. He sailed for France with the 11th Marines in 1918. Although his regiment did not enter combat before the Armistice, he remained overseas and later commanded Company D of the 15th Separate Marine Battalion. His wartime service was recognized by the World War I Victory Medal with Maltese Cross.

Aviator, Marksman and Small-Wars Leader

During the 1920s Edson developed an unusually broad professional background. He served at Quantico, became an accomplished competitive marksman and earned his Naval Aviator wings in 1922. Physical limitations eventually ended his flying career, returning him to ground duty.

That change placed Edson on the path to his first great combat command.

From 1928 into 1929, he fought in Nicaragua against forces led by Augusto César Sandino. His red beard during the campaign helped earn him the nickname "Red Mike."

On 7 August 1928, while leading Marines along the Coco River, Edson encountered a superior enemy force occupying prepared positions. His first Navy Cross citation recognized his personal leadership of the advance guard, his courage in close combat and his ability to inspire his Marines to drive the enemy from its defenses.

Nicaragua also awarded him the Nicaraguan Medal of Merit with Silver Star, while his American campaign service earned the Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal.

China and the Creation of the Marine Raiders

Edson later served as an instructor at the Basic School and continued his involvement in Marine Corps marksmanship. From 1937 to 1939 he served with the 4th Marines in Shanghai, where he observed Japanese military operations during the war in China. His service there was represented by the China Service Medal with bronze star.

In 1941 Edson took command of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. The unit eventually became the nucleus of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, one of the Corps' new elite formations designed for raids, reconnaissance and aggressive amphibious operations.

Edson was promoted to colonel in May 1942.

Only months later, his Raiders entered combat.

Tulagi and the Second Navy Cross

On 7 August 1942, Edson's Raiders landed on Tulagi in the Solomon Islands.

His second Navy Cross citation recognized his extraordinary heroism while commanding the Tulagi Combat Group during the seizure of the island. The citation credited his skill, courage and aggressive leadership as directly contributing to the success of the operation.

Because it was his second Navy Cross, the additional award was represented by a Gold Star on the Navy Cross ribbon.

Tulagi established Edson as an outstanding combat commander. Guadalcanal made him a legend.

The Battle of Edson's Ridge

In September 1942, Edson's Raiders and elements of the 1st Parachute Battalion defended a ridge overlooking Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.

During the nights of 13 and 14 September, a much larger Japanese force repeatedly attacked the position.

When parts of the Marine line were penetrated, Edson reorganized the defense and withdrew endangered units to stronger ground. Throughout the battle he remained exposed to enemy fire, moving among his Marines, directing units and encouraging exhausted defenders to hold their positions.

His Medal of Honor citation recognized his extraordinary heroism and conspicuous leadership while commanding the defense against superior enemy forces. Despite heavy casualties and repeated attacks, Edson's Marines held the ridge and protected Henderson Field.

The battlefield became known as Edson's Ridge.

The British government also appointed Edson a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for his wartime service.

Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian

Edson continued rising through the Marine Corps after Guadalcanal.

As Chief of Staff of the 2nd Marine Division, he played a major role in planning the assault on Tarawa in November 1943.

His first Legion of Merit citation credited him with directing detailed intelligence studies of Tarawa, preparing an accurate estimate of the Japanese defenses and helping solve tactical problems after landing on Betio. His work contributed to the eventual destruction of the Japanese garrison.

Edson was promoted to brigadier general on 1 December 1943.

In 1944, as Assistant Division Commander of the 2nd Marine Division, he fought at Saipan and Tinian.

His Silver Star citation recognized his personal courage in repeatedly visiting frontline positions under Japanese artillery and mortar fire, rallying Marines and providing tactical direction during critical stages of the fighting.

Promotion had not moved Red Mike away from danger.

Senior Leadership in the Pacific

Later in 1944 Edson became Deputy Chief of Staff and then Chief of Staff of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

His second Legion of Merit citation recognized his work in operational planning, logistics, weapons, organization and coordination among Marine, Navy and Army forces across the Pacific. A Gold Star represented his second Legion of Merit, while the Combat "V" reflected the combat distinction associated with his awards.

His World War II service also included the Navy Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars, the American Defense Service Medal with bronze star, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with six campaign credits, and World War II Victory Medal.

By the end of his wartime service, Edson had spent approximately 44 continuous months in the war zone.

Retirement and Legacy

Edson retired from active duty on 1 August 1947 and was advanced to the rank of Major General.

His public service continued after the Marine Corps. He became the first Commissioner of the Vermont State Police, later served as Executive Director of the National Rifle Association, and participated in work that contributed to the development of the United States Armed Forces Code of Conduct for prisoners of war.

Major General Merritt Austin Edson died in Washington, D.C., on 14 August 1955, aged 58.

His legacy remains deeply connected to the history of the Marine Raiders, Guadalcanal and Edson's Ridge. His first Navy Cross reflected close combat in Nicaragua. His second recognized the capture of Tulagi. His Medal of Honor immortalized his leadership on Guadalcanal. His Legion of Merit for Tarawa demonstrated his ability as a planner, his Silver Star recorded his courage at Saipan and Tinian, and his second Legion of Merit recognized his senior leadership across the Pacific.

Merritt "Red Mike" Edson was more than a Medal of Honor recipient. He was an aviator, marksman, small-wars commander, Marine Raider pioneer, battlefield leader and senior Marine general.

But his name remains most closely tied to one desperate night on Guadalcanal.

The line bent.

Edson stayed.

And the ridge held.