Miracle Marine Sgt. Merlin German Dies

Sergeant Merlin German dies from Burn Cmplications

The Miracle Marine an inspiration to Americans everywhere

Marine Sgt. Merlin German died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio Texas.  He was there continuing his treatment for injuries suffered in combat in Anbar Province Iraq on Feb. 22, 2005.

Sgt. German became a symbol of resilience as he aimed to recover from a IED roadside bomb blast in Iraq.  He was burned on 97% of this body. His body was virtually destroyed on that fateful day.  The Defense Department reports today that he was 22 when he passed. There was no word on why it took so long to get the word out to the mainstream press and why it took over 2 weeks before his death was announced.

The former turret gunner was dubbed the "Miracle Man" for his determination in facing his wounds which cost the former saxophone player his fingers and scarred his youthful face. He suffered more than 40 surgeries and spent over 17 months in the hospital.  He even had to learn how to walk again.

During his recovery, Sgt. German started a charity called Merlin’s Miracles.  It’s aim was and continues to aid child burn victims.  Recently, Sgt German was considering going to college and thinking about a future career.

"Sometimes I do think I can’t do it," Sgt. German said last year. "Then I think: Why not? I can do whatever I want. … Nobody has ever been 97 percent dead and survived, and lived to walk."

Born in New York City, Sgt. German moved to the burbs in his teen years. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in September of 2003. 

German had been stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside California. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that the state Capitol’s flags would be flown at half-staff in Sgt German’s honor.  Gov. Schwarzenegger said the sergeant’s "courage and unfailing loyalty serve as an inspiration to Americans everywhere."

Merlin had a vision to help burned children and their families. He wanted the foundation to be named Merlin’s Miracles.

After being burned over 97% of his body when a roadside bomb exploded under his vehicle in Iraq while fighting defending our freedom in the Global War on Terror. Merlin was flown to Brooke Army Medical Center where he was not expected to survive, but after over 9 months in the intensive care unit and over 100 surgeries later, he had clearly defied all odds. Merlin became known to everyone as the Miracle Man.

He touched the lives of everyone he met. He taught us strength, courage and unity. He loved children and was very proud uncle to his one year old niece.

The donations would be used to assist burned children and their families to take vacations, trips, outings or anything the families needed to make life a little easier. Merlin loved to travel and knew how difficult it was for him to endure long lines at amusement parks or the frustration of not being able to do certain things because of the heat or being able to go to certain places because of special transportation needed.

It was his dream to be able to grant these families their wishes no matter what the request was. The grants would not be limited to trips and outings but also to help the families in their own homes to make it more comfortable for the burn children.

Merlin’s Miracles is asking for your donation, to make Merlin’s dream come true, to grant miracles to burned children and their families.

• VISIT AND DONATE: OFFICIAL MERLIN’S MIRACLES WEB SITE