Aaron S. Merrill's experience included destroyer-division command and teaching naval science and tactics before World War II. He took command of USS Indiana in April 1942 and became a rear admiral in January 1943 before leading a cruiser-destroyer force in the Solomons. At Blackett Strait in March 1943, his Task Force 68 destroyed two Japanese destroyers using radar fire control. That experience made him one of the officers actively developing radar-directed night fighting before Empress Augusta Bay.
Notable Point · 27:34-29:16
Merrill brought destroyer command and radar gunnery experience
Merrill's earlier destroyer and battleship commands culminated in practical experience of radar-directed night combat at Blackett Strait.