Rueben Ernest Merkel was born in November 1921 in Java, South Dakota, the son of Edward and Margaret Hubel Merkel. His mother lived on Vermont Avenue and also Maple Street in Torrance. Merkel was employed as a general mechanic and maintenance worker at the Army Air Forces GFE Depot in San Pedro, California, prior to voluntarily enlisting for a period of two years in the U.S. Navy Reserve in April 1943. He was called to active duty shortly thereafter.

After recruit instruction at the U.S. Navy Training Center in Farragut, Idaho, Merkel was transferred to the U.S.S. Suwannee in October 1943. The Suwannee was an escort carrier that was in a group of Allied naval vessels that was attacked by Japanese kamikaze planes in late October 1944, during which the first deliberate suicide attack of the war occurred during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. 

The Suwannee suffered destroyed planes and damage to her flight and hangar decks, resulting in a blaze that burned for several hours. According to the U.S. Naval History Heritage Command, in two attacks, the ship suffered the loss of 13 officers and 80 enlisted men, along with the wounding of 13 officers (including Captain William D. Johnson, Commanding Officer of the Suwannee) along with 89 enlisted men.   

Aviation Machinist Mate 3c Rueben Merkel was among the casualties. He died of wounds received in action on October 27, 1944.  Shortly after this Captain Johnson sent a letter of condolences to Merkel’s mother, and while realizing that his words would be of little consolation, he wanted her to know that her son died fighting for his country and that all of the officers and men of the Suwannee were proud of him. 

Merkel’s remains were buried at sea and he was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. His mother sent a letter of thanks to the Bureau of Naval Personnel for the Purple Heart Medal and Certificate, and while proud of these, said they also brought new heartache to the family. Merkel was also survived by his two brothers, one of whom was also in the Navy and was home on furlough when this award was received.

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