Richard A. Merkh
Military Branch: Navy; Rank: HM1
Summary:
Richard joined the Navy on November 19, 2002 from his hometown of Knob Noster, Missouri.
After boot camp and Hospital Corps School he was assigned to 2nd Marine division where he was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and then deployed to Al’ Qaim, Iraq with 3rd Battalion 2nd Regiment.
Richard was then assigned to Naval Health Clinic Great Lakes where he worked for 1 year as an Emergency Medical Technician and then became the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Coordinator for the next 2 years where he taught 25 courses to over 500 corpsmen. He returned to 2nd Marine Division, 1st Battalion 8th Regiment and deployed to Musa Qala, Afghanistan as part of Head and Support Company. Here he assisted with the treatment and recovery of over 200 trauma patients.
Richard went overseas to Naval Hospital Naples, Italy, and was first the Leading Petty Officer (LPO) of Human Resources and then LPO of Medical Home Port.
He decided to become a Dive Medical Technician and submitted his package to the C School detailer and was told to go to IDC School first.
Richard attended IDC School and graduated with class 16015 on April 7, 2017, with orders to Dive School.
He then worked as an Instructor at the IDC School where he taught Navy Correspondence, TCCC, and Trauma Medicine each week.
Richard was a wonderful, gracious, and loving husband and father. He was a great quick-witted man, a loyal, compassionate, and caring leader who loved and cherished his fellow comrades in arms.
Life Achievements/ Recognitions:
Richard graduated from High School in Knob Noster Missouri and attended several years of college at Central Missouri State University.
Richard was awarded the Navy Commendation with Valor for his actions during a mass casualty.