Jason Merrill

Jason Merrill is the only son of a white man and a black woman, a married interracial couple at a time when it was only grudgingly accepted, even north of D.C. Jason passes as white and enlisted that way to fight in World War II; his parents wanted him to have the chance to become an officer, something they knew would be far less likely if he enlisted as a black man.

Jason was involved in the progarm (predecessor to the department) at its inception in 1951 through 1956 as a form of oversight for the military men involved. He transferred out at the same time as Django Whetū back to regular U.S. Army shenanigans and discovered the formation of the Green Berets. He badgered Django into joining him until he gave in...but also insisted upon adopting Django into his family, something Helen Merrill greatly approved of.

Jason is married to Helen Merrill, and is father to David and Judith Merrill. He and his wife are the unofficial grandparents to Django's children.

Jason retired from the United States Army as a three-star general in 1991.