Van Santvoord Merle-Smith

American government official (1889–1943)

Van Santvoord Merle-Smith

Third Assistant Secretary of State
In office
June 24, 1920 – March 4, 1921
President| Woodrow Wilson
Preceded by| Breckinridge Long
Succeeded by| Robert Woods Bliss
Personal details
Born| June 22, 1889
Oyster Bay, New York
Died| November 9, 1943 (1943-11-10) (aged 54)
New York City, New York
Spouse|

Kate Grosvenor Fowler

(m. 1916)​

Children| 4
Parent(s)| Wilton Merle Smith
Zaidee Van Santvoord
Relatives| Alfred Van Santvoord (grandfather)
Alma mater| Princeton University
Harvard Law School

Van Santvoord Merle-Smith (June 22, 1889 – November 9, 1943) was a United States soldier, lawyer, and investment banker, who served as Third Assistant Secretary of State from 1920 to 1921, and as Executive Intelligence Officer to General Douglas MacArthur during World War II.

## Early life[edit]

Van Santvoord Merle-Smith was born in Oyster Bay, New York in 1889.[1] He was the son of Zaidee Van Santvoord (1858–1943)[2] and Rev. Wilton Merle Smith (1856–1923), D.D., pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in New York City, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.[1] His mother was the daughter of Alfred Van Santvoord.[3] His older sister was Dorothy (née Merle-Smith) Pyle (1887–1982) and his younger sister was Anita (née Merle-Smith) Knight (1891–1971).[4]

He was educated at Princeton University, graduating in 1911, and at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1914.[5]

## Career[edit]

During World War I, Merle-Smith served in the United States Army's 165th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Division, achieving the rank of captain.[6] Captain Merle-Smith was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on July 28, 1918, with the medal's citation reading as follows:

> The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Van Santvoord Merle-Smith, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, A.E.F., near Villers-sur-Fere, France, on 28 July 1918. Captain Merle-Smith was in command of a company at the crossing of the River Ourcq. Despite the loss of all the other officers in his company, and although wounded himself, he continued to direct his men effectively against the enemy. When his major was killed he succeeded to the command of the battalion and led it forward throughout the day with courage and gallantry.[7][6]

Merle-Smith had attained the rank of major by the time he left the army.[5]

After the war, Merle-Smith served as Third Assistant Secretary of State from June 24, 1920, to March 4, 1921, during the administration of President of the United States Woodrow Wilson.[8]

After leaving the United States Department of State, Merle-Smith joined the New York City law firm of Pratt & McAlpin.[9] He later became an investment banker with Roosevelt & Son.[5] Like his grandfather Alfred Van Santvoord, Merle-Smith developed a passion for yachting, and was a prominent member of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club.[10]

Merle-Smith returned to the army with the outbreak of World War II,[11] achieving the rank of colonel.[5] He became Executive Intelligence Officer for General Douglas MacArthur.[5] In 1943, Colonel Merle-Smith suffered a mental breakdown brought on by heavy staff work in the South Pacific.[5]

## Personal life[edit]

On June 20, 1916, Merle-Smith married Kate Grosvenor Fowler (1888–1982).[1][12] She was the daughter of Kate Grosvenor and Eldridge M. Fowler, and the granddaughter of Col. W. M. Grosvenor.[13] The couple would eventually have four children:

* Van Santvoord Merle-Smith Jr. (1917–2003), who was the chaplain of the Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[14]
* Nancy Merle-Smith (1921–1991), who married to Robert C. Stover in 1948.[15]
* Fowler Merle-Smith (1926–1998), who was an administrator and teacher at the Buckley School in New York City and later at Princeton Day School.[16]
* Margaret Merle-Smith (1929–1965), who married William St. Clair Childs (1928–1965),[1] in December 1964. They died shortly thereafter in a plane crash in February 1965.[17]

Three months after his breakdown, Merle-Smith died in Cove Neck, New York, on November 9, 1943.[5][18] His funeral was attended by more than 400 people.[19]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d RootsWeb Profile
2. ^ "MRS. W. MERLE-SMITH, CLERGYMAN'S WIDOW; Member of Old Family--Her Son Aide of Gen. MacArthur". The New York Times. 31 August 1943. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
3. ^ See "Alfred Van Santvoord", New York Times, July 2, 1899.
4. ^ "DR. A. S. KNIGHT DIES OF AUTO INJURIES; Retired Vice President Served Metropolitan Life for 35 Years as Medical Director". The New York Times. 22 March 1948. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
5. ^ a b c d e f g "Milestones", Time, Nov. 22, 1943.
6. ^ a b Profile from Military Times Hall of Valor.
7. ^ "Valor awards for Van Santvoord Merle-Smith". Military Times.
8. ^ "MERLE-SMITH SWORN IN.; Takes Oath as Longs Successor-- Nielsen Becomes Solicitor". The New York Times. 25 June 1920. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
9. ^ Princeton Alumni Weekly, Dec. 7, 1921, p. 225.
10. ^ "Sport: Dinner Race", Time, Sept. 6, 1937.
11. ^ "COL. MERLE-SMITH SENT TO AUSTRALIA; Investment Banker on Duty With Army Is Made Our First Military Attache There WON THE D.S.C. IN FRANCE Lansing Aide at Peace Parley and Assistant Secretary of War in 1920 and 1921". The New York Times. 10 August 1941. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
12. ^ "Married. MERLE-SMITH -- FOWLER". The New York Times. 21 June 1916. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
13. ^ "TWO PRETTY WEDDINGS". The New York Times. 16 December 1887. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
14. ^ "Miss McIlvaine Fiancee Of Van Merle-Smith 3d". The New York Times. January 26, 1969. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
15. ^ "Nancy Merle-Smith Married". The New York Times. 21 June 1948. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
16. ^ "Paid Notice: Deaths MERLE, SMITH, FOWLER". The New York Times. 6 December 1998. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
17. ^ "RITES FOR 4 KILLED IN ISLANDS CRASH SET". The New York Times. 12 February 1965. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
18. ^ "MERLE-SMITH DIES; HERO OF TWO WARS; Ex-BankerWon Honors in 1918, and in 194-2 for Aiding the U, S. Forces on Bataan". The New York Times. 10 November 1943. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
19. ^ "400 ATTEND FUNERAL OF COL. MERLE-SMITH; Dr. Coffin Offidates at Rites Here for Hero of TwoWars". The New York Times. 13 November 1943. Retrieved 13 October 2017.

## External links[edit]

* Van Santvoord Merle-Smith at Find a Grave

Government offices

Preceded by

Breckinridge Long

|  Third Assistant Secretary of State
June 24, 1920 - March 4, 1921  | Succeeded by

Robert Woods Bliss

Authority control databases

International|

* FAST
* VIAF

National|

* United States

*[m.]: married