Member Biography

Frank Merritt was a 6-foot, 3-inch, 215-pound tackle who made All-America in 1942 and 1943. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy June 6, 1944. Merritt served as a pilot and for the period 1967-1976 was director of athletics for the U.S. Air Force Academy. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. In 1980 he was named to the Hall of Fame of NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics). Frank Merrit was born July 20, 1920, in New York City; he died March 21, 1995.