SGT Merle R. Higgins

-Vietnam War-

Photo: https://www.virtualwall.org/dh/HigginsMR01a.htm

Introduction

This mini digital exhibit presents materials about Merle R. Higgins, SGT, US Army.

Merle was a beloved son and brother, and was a friend to many. Friends from his small, Pennsylvania town and friends from the Army alike remember Merle’s smile and humor.

Merle was part of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, also known as the Manchus. He was killed in action on June 5, 1969 by a claymore mine in the Tay Ninh Province.

Materials appearing in the collection were graciously provided for use by Merle’s sister, Nell Higgins, as well as by long-time Vietnam veteran advocate, Rita Adams (Fulton, MO).

Key Dates

Born: August 6, 1947
Drafted/Bootcamp: February 12, 1968
Arrival in Vietnam: January 5, 1969
Killed in Action: June 5, 1969

Merle’s Signature Personality

Nell Higgins, "The Growing Up," in Merle’s Story. (Greenville, PA: Beaver Pond Publishing, 2003), 7.

Higgins, Merle’s Story, 8.

Higgins, Merle’s Story, 20.

Higgins, Merle’s Story, 22.

Photos from 1965 Jamestown High School yearbook. Yearbook access courtesy of JHS Principal, Brian Keyser.

Life in Vietnam

Higgins, Merle’s Story, 11.

Higgins, Merle’s Story, 17.

*Video has no audio.

Clips from Merle’s 8mm film. The full film (23:22 as .avi) courtesy of Rita Adams.

Larry DeJong (Iowa), Steve Knowlton (Florida), Merle, “Jethro” (Tennessee).

Photo and names of other soldiers from Mokane to Mole City by Stan Adams, courtesy of Rita Adams.

Photo courtesy of Rita Adams.

Life Goes On

Higgins, Merle’s Story, 31-32.

Merle’s childhood home and his car where it sat since January 1969.

Photos approximately late 1990s. Courtesy of Keith Rodgers.

Advocacy for Remembrance

Merle is featured in the documentary titled Manchu: A Brotherhood of Sacrifice, directed by Matt Wilcox.

It is available to stream for free on PBS.

Commemorative ticket and challenge coin courtesy of Rita Adams.

Every Story Matters.

Article from The Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 2003. Courtesy of Keith Rodgers.

Related Materials

Please refer to the materials below for further information on Merle and the Manchus.

Information/Tributes for Merle:

Manchu Related:

View: Collection Metadata (.csv)

Digital Exhibit curated by: Megan Rodgers, MLIS

Materials featured in this exhibit are shared for historical preservation, educational use, and remembrance. Please respect the integrity of the collection and do not reproduce or redistribute without permission.