Melillo to be honored, laid to rest today

Military leaders and veterans across the Chattahoochee Valley gather today at Fort Benning to remember retired Master Sgt. Vincent Melillo, who died at age 97 on Christmas Eve.

Melillo, a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean War, was the last member of the famed Merrill's Marauders from Georgia. He served with the 5307th Composite Unit Provisional during World War II when the first American troops battled the Japanese on land in Asia. Traveling almost 1,000 miles, soldiers marched farther on foot than any other fighting unit to capture the airstrip at Myitkyina, Burma, to open an allied supply line into Asia. The memorial service is 10:30 a.m. at Fort Benning's Infantry Center Chapel. A military burial follows at 3:30 p.m. at Midway United Methodist Church in Milan, Ga., where his late wife, Frankie Doris, is buried. Melillo retired after nearly 21 years of service. For years, he traveled the region representing Georgia as a member of Merrill's Marauders. He was recognized for his efforts in 2013 when he was inducted into both the Georgia Military Hall of Fame and the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.

Retired Col. Paul R. Longgrear, founder of the Georgia Military Hall of Fame, said he has known Melillo for about five years since his induction in the Ranger Hall of Fame.

"We kind of hung out together," said Longgrear of Pine Mountain. "We would go to Ranger graduations together."

One of the most impressive things about Melillo was his humility, Longgrear said. Soldiers considered for the Hall of Fame honor always said, "I don't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame," he said. "Vince was just a real humble, unassuming guy. He would stand in a room and never say a word for 30 or 40 minutes unless somebody walked over."

The community has lost an icon in Melillo, Longgrear said. "Vince was a great representative for Fort Benning and Columbus," he said.

"He was just an iconic figure. He went all over the state as a Merrill's Marauder, representing World War II soldiers and was very involved."

Looking back, Longgrear said he was compelled to visit Melillo at St. Francis Hospital last month after he had surgery.

"I felt that I needed to go up to the hospital and visit him, not thinking that he was fixing to pass away or anything," he said. "I felt led to go up there and be with him."

He said the decorated war veteran didn't like the hospital bed and people hovering around him.

Longgrear said he will be attending today's memorial service at Fort Benning and hopes other veterans and military leaders will do the same.

"He would have been there for them," Longgrear said of Melillo. "I will say that much about it."

This story was originally published January 1, 2016 at 9:29 PM with the headline "Melillo to be honored, laid to rest today ."