Chester Depot in Windsor County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)
Merritt Austin Edson
{North Side}
Was born in Rutland Vermont on April 25, 1897. Soon after his birth, the Edson family returned to their native Chester. In 1915 he graduated from Chester High School. While attending the University of Vermont, in 1915, he joined the Vermont National Guard.
{West Side}
Military Service
Summer 1916
Mobilized with National Guard to pursue Poncho Villa. Eagle Pass, Texas
June 1917
Enlisted in the Marine Corps during WWI
October 1918
Deployed to France with 11th Marines
June 1922
Earned wings as naval aviator
1928-1929
Led the Coco River patrol in Nicaragua
1937-1939
Served with the 4th Marines in Shanghai during the Sino-Japanese War
February 1942
Formed the 1st Raider Battalion
August 7-8, 1942
Battle of Tulagi in the Solomon Islands
September 12-14, 1942
Battle of Lunga Ridge on Guadalcanal
November 1943
Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Division
Battle of Tarawa
December 1943
Promoted to Brigadier General
June-August 1944
Assistant Division Commander
2nd Marine Division
Battles of Saipan and Tinian
July-December 1945
Commanding General Service Comand Fleet
Marine Force Pacific
August 1, 1947
Retired from the Marine Corps as Major General
{South Side}
Medals and Awards
Medal of Honor
Navy Cross with Gold Star
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit with Combat Distinguishing Device (Bronze V) and Gold Star
Combat Action Ribbon
Presidential Unit Citation with two Bronze Stars
Mexican Border Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal with France Clasp
Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal
China Service Medal with Bronze Star
American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp
Asiatic – Pacific Campaign Medal with Silver Star
American Campaign Medal
Victory Medal WWII
Medal of Merit with Silver Star
British Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Rifleman Badge
{East Side}
Civilian Life
1947
Testified before Congress against the unification of the Armed Services
July 1, 1947
Formed the Vermont State Police
1949–1951
President of the National Rifle Association
July 1951
Executive Director, National Rifle Association
1952–1954
President, Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation (erected Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington VA)
August 14, 1955
Died in Washington DC
Erected 2015 by Chester Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients, and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1897.
Location. 43° 15.861′ N, 72° 35.925′ W. Marker is in Chester, Vermont, in Windsor County. It is in Chester Depot. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Vermont Route 11) and School Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chester VT 05143, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chester Vietnam Conflict Monument (a few steps from this marker); Chester Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Chester World War I and II and Korean Conflict Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Chester Academy / District No. 20 Central School (within shouting distance of this marker); Chester Depot (approx. half a mile away); North Chester (approx. 0.8 miles away); Hugh Henry Family Homestead (approx. 1.2 miles away); Stellafane Observatory (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.
Also see . . . Wikipedia - Merritt Austin Edson. (Submitted on August 7, 2018, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2018, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 369 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 7, 2018, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.