Veteran Stories: Silver Star Medal Recipient Merle Hancock

This past Spring, World War II veteran Ernest Merle Hancock celebrated his 97th birthday with a small parade, picnic and live music all coordinated by local people who wanted to show their appreciation for him. Merle has an empowering story of bravery during his time served, which earned him the US Army’s Silver Star Medal. What’s different about his honor, though?

It was awarded to him 70 years after his service for the United States at the Virginia House of Delegates.

Merle was a member of the Army Air Force and flew many missions during his time. During one particular mission, he was flying as a top turret gunner aboard a B-17 plane defending against German attackers and shot down three German aircrafts. But his plane was hit and he suffered from several burns because of a fire that started from the damage. After evacuating and landing in German territory, Merle spent the next year being contained as a prisoner of war.

After his capture, he was sent to the Stalag Luft-IV camp, which was then later in danger of being invaded by the Soviet Union as they pushed troops in that direction. The whole camp, Merle included, marched around 600 miles—exhausted, sometimes marching through the night, and sometimes sleeping in locked railway cars so as not to escape.

At the end of the war, Merle and many other POWs were liberated and returned home. He never received his honor, though, as the deliberation over it became lost in the commotion of soldiers wanting to get back to the United States.

Today, Merle lives in Manassas, Virginia and remains a long-time friend of the museum. While imprisoned, Merle made a replica of a guard tower at the camp with his own hands, which he then gifted to the museum. That small hand-made piece of history, along with Merle’s Silver Star Award, serve as a reminder that it’s never too late to recognize a veteran for their service.

Many of the Freedom Museum’s items are donated by local families to tell the story of veterans from Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County and their patriotic contribution to preserving our liberty. To see this artifact and much more, visit us at our brand new location.