MERLE &ME; Smashing Barriers At CGA

 Merle James Smith, Junior, was the first and the greatest African American Coast Guard Academy Cadet. After him, they broke the mold. Created in the crucible of the Anglo-American Aparteid Society, the Middle Passage, Jim Crow, Separate But Equal, World War Two, The Civil Rights Movement, and The Age of Aquarius, he was as history now demonstrates, a truly American Hero. He is a decorated Vietnam combat war veteran, a champion of the down-trodden, a bridge builder, a pioneer, and a trail-blazer.

In America, the 60s demanded a more than a perfect African American scholar, athlete, military officer, and gentleman. She demanded more than a man for all seasons. After the 2nd Reconstruction, to succeed in America, one would have to be a combination Booker T, Washington, Dr Benjamin E, Mays, Malcolmn X, General Benjamin O. Davis, General Chappie James, Marcus Garvey, SuperFly, Shaft, Ralph Bunche, General George Patton, VADM Manson K. Brown, John Wayne, and James Bond.
He would have to be a man of exceptional Character, charming Personality, strong Resolve, delightful and, engaging Social Wit. In 1962 he was an underclassman at the Coast Guard Academy, and his name was Merle James Smith Junior.

RANK measures Authority; but, CHARACTER measures Worth. Character counts. It is the most important issue when trying to judge a person. Merle Smith had leadership Character.

Merle James Smith, Junior, was the best friend that I ever had in the world. I am what I am today because of him. It was Merle who shaped my Coast Guard Career. He convinced me to go to Law School at George Washington University in the night school program while I worked full time at Coast Guard Headquarters. I had not been selected for post-graduate school  by the Coast Guard. Merle convinced me to take charge of my own destiny. He was very active and influential in BALSA (Black American Law Students Association). I had only taken the LSAT once. I had not taken an LSAT Prep Course. I was accepted to the George Washington University Law School Night Program. I was not requesting financial assistance. My GI Bill covered my tuition and books. In 1973, Tuition was $100 thousand.
I have never dwelt on the hardships I faced growing up. Looking back, it is a miracle that we as a family, survived. My entire community was in survival mode. Everyone worked from sun-up to sun-down doing some kind of a job. My father worked various hard labor jobs on the base at the Naval and Marine Corps Air Technical Training Center, Memphis, Tennessee. My Mother worked for Doctor Billy King and Doctor Batson, baby sitting and cleaning house. I picked cotton in the Summer, delivered news papers, and performed various custodial jobs around the neighborhood.
Merle, on the other hand, had lived a charmed life. His father was an Army Intelligence Officer and had been posted all over the World. His mother was on the staff of the Dean at Morgan State College, Baltimore, MD. They were both fair skinned "high-yellow" individuals and .occasionally passed for white. Merle was assumed to be white at the Coast Guard Academy until I came along and was put in charge of Minority Recruiting. He had not been admitted under any minority program. Captain Otto Graham, the Athletic Director at CGA, had recruited him as a football player. Otto Graham was looking for a Tight End who could run and catch a football.