Michal Alvin Merkel

First Lieutenant
7TH PSYOP GRP (ATTACHED MACV ADV TEAM 21), USARPAC
Army of the United States
09 November 1942 - 24 March 1968
Indianapolis, Indiana
Panel 46E Line 009

USARPAC

7TH PSYOP GRP


Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Michal Alvin Merkel

26 Jan 2001

REMEMBERED

by his friends and family

From his brother,
Dave Merkel
dave.merkel@verizon.net



July 28, 2006

Ms. Goodrich and Mr. Merkel:

It is with extreme pleasure that I inform you that final approvals have been gained and the PSYOP Media Operations Complex at Fort Bragg, North Carolina will be re-named in honor of 1LT Michal Alvin Merkel. The US Army Special Operations Command and Fort Bragg Garrison Command have approved the request and 4th Psychological Operations Group will soon begin planning the ceremony. More details as to the date of the ceremony will be forthcoming. These details will come through different channels as I am no longer assigned to 4th Group.

I would like to take one more opportunity to thank both of you for your assistance and patience in this matter. We would not have been able to complete this request without your help. We are truly grateful.

Respectfully,

Nick Kinkead
MAJ (P) Nicholas E. Kinkead
Combat Developments Division, G8
US Army Special Operations Command

SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

RELEASE NUMBER: 0700409-01
DATE POSTED: APRIL 9, 2007

SOF Media Center dedicated to fallen Vietnam-era Soldier
By Diane Grant
4th POG Public Affairs Officer

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, April 9, 2007) The Special Operation Forces Media Operations Complex was dedicated to 1st Lt. Michal Alvin Merkel during a ceremony here April 9.

Merkel served as the executive officer for 7th Psychological Operations Detachment and was killed in the Plieku region of Vietnam, March 1968.

“Today is a very special day because we looked back to history to find a very special Soldier and a hero," said Lt. Gen. Wagner, commander of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, "and behind you stand about 300 heroes who will carry on the mission. I have served in Plieku, Vietnam, and saw the terrain of the rugged mission at a different time almost two years later.”

Merkel was a graduate of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., and was represented by a group of more than 10 Purdue alumni and family friends.

“It’s great to be here with a group of my fellow Boilermakers on this great day to honor 1st Lt. Merkel by allowing his memory to continue through the dedication of this facility,” said Wagner, a 1981 Purdue graduate.

“But it is a celebration to have had warriors like 1st Lieutenant Merkel and this building is in honor of the many sacrifices that he made,”said Colonel Turner, 4th Psychological Operations Group commander. “This is the hub of our reach-back capabilities and the center of our activity.”

Robb Powell, a family friend and guest speaker for the ceremony, talked about the days when he and Merkel worked in Purdue University dinning facilities and noted that Merkel was an intelligent, reliable and hardworking person.

“The dedication of this facility in Merkel’s name is a heart-felt honor for his friends and family,” Powell said. “Michal was always pleasant and had a ‘we’ll get the job done' attitude.”

The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the plaque and sign in front of the media complex bearing Merkel's name byMerkel’s mother, Helen,and his daughter, Terri Goodrich.

Construction for the 51,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art Media Operations Complex was completed in 2003 to centrally house equipment and personnel and to enhance PSYOP support to the regional and tactical PSYOP battalions.

The facility provides workspace for more than 300 military and civilian personnel and consolidates five functions under one roof enabling PSYOP units to produce large quantities of multi-color products from four Direct Image Digital Presses and other state-of-the-art equipment.

TOP: Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and Col. Kenneth A. Turner, commander, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) help1st Lt. Michal A. Merkel's mother, Mrs. Helen Merkel and his daughter, Mrs. Terri Goodrich, unveil the sign of the Media Operations Complex, named in Merkel's honor. Merkel was honored in a ceremony held at Fort Bragg, N.C. April 9. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)


CENTER: Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and Col. Kenneth A. Turner, commander, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) help 1st Lt. Michal A. Merkel's mother, Mrs. Helen Merkel and his daughter, Mrs. Terri Goodrich, unveil a memoral plaque that will hang outside the Media Operations Complex. The complex was named after Merkel during the ceremony held at Fort Bragg, N.C. on April 9. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)


BOTTOM: Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, hands framed photos to1st Lt. Michal A. Merkel's mother, Mrs. Helen Merkel and his daughter, Mrs. Terri Goodrich. The photos were of the Media Operations Complex, which now bears Merkel's name. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Activated 20 October 1965 on Okinawa, the 7th Psychological Operations Group conducted operations in Vietnam until the 4th PsyOps Group was established in Vietnam on 01 Dec 1967. Once the 4th PsyOps Grp was operational, 7th PsyOps was reduced to a back-up and augmentation role.

Although 1LT Merkel is remembered on the Psychological Operations site as assigned to the 8th PysOps Battalion, casualty records indicate that he was assigned to 7th PsyOps but attached to MACV Advisory Team 21 at the time of his death.





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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 26 Jan 2001
Last updated 08/10/2009