Merlin O'Neill

Career Newly commissioned as an ensign, O'Neill reported aboard the , homeported at New York City for his first assignment in April 1921. While assigned to the Gresham he was promoted to lieutenant junior grade on 14 November 1921. In April 1922 he transferred to Seattle, Washington, to serve aboard the whose primary area of operation was in the Bering Sea. O'Neill participated in two long Bering Sea patrols while assigned to the Haida before transferring to the in 1924. Algonquin also patrolled the Bering Sea and O'Neill served one long patrol before returning to the Atlantic coast. He served a short time aboard the before being detailed to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to help with the conversion of the U.S. Navy destroyer to Coast Guard duty for the suppression of smuggling. After Ericsson was commissioned in May 1925, O'Neill was assigned as the executive officer. He was promoted to lieutenant on 10 September 1925 while continuing to serve as the cutter's executive officer. O'Neill assumed command of Ericsson for a short time before he was assigned to the Coast Guard Academy staff as an instructor in September 1927. He was promoted to lieutenant commander on 7 March 1929. In June 1933 he was assigned to the command of the USCGC Apache which patrolled Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. O'Neill's next assignment in October 1935, took him to Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he worked in the Office of Operations. As a part of his headquarters assignment in June 1937 he attended the International Whaling Conference in London, England, as a technical advisor to the United States delegation. Additionally in 1939, he was appointed as the first chief director of the newly formed civilian Coast Guard Auxiliary, which was at the time known as the Coast Guard Reserve. While serving as chief director of the auxiliary he was promoted to commander on 25 May 1940. O'Neill continued to serve as auxiliary chief until October 1942. Leonard Wood departed Hampton Roads on 24 October and participated in the landings at Fedhala, French Morocco, on 7 November. In late November, Leonard Wood returned to the United States for repairs and training. While at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, O'Neill was promoted to captain on 10 December 1942. While O'Neill was commandant, the active duty strength of the Coast Guard increased by 6,000 personnel to 29,000 and the reserve strength numbered 8,300.

Later life and death O'Neill retired from the U.S. Coast Guard on 1 June 1954 with the rank of admiral. His decorations included the Legion of Merit, awarded for exceptionanally meritorious conduct during the invasion of Sicily. After retiring from active duty Admiral O'Neill resided in Lusby, Maryland. O'Neill died of cardiac arrest 1 March 1981 at the Naval Hospital at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He was survived by his wife, Esther, and two daughters. The Admiral Merlin O’Neill Award was established by the Military Officers Association of America Southern Maryland Chapter at the behest of O'Neill's widow, Mrs. Esther O’Neill. O’Neill, who was recognized for his interest in the development and recognition of junior officers, moved to southern Maryland after his retirement and lived in the area until his death in 1981.

Dates of rank