MERRIWEATHER, DANIEL

Daniel D. Merriweather was born on May 27, 1984 in Shelby County Tennessee to Pamela and Darryle Finnie and was a 2002 graduate of Overton High School in Memphis Tennessee. While there, he studied broadcast journalism and played football. While he didn’t like to be in front of the camera, you could often find him behind the camera capturing all the action.  

From a young age Daniel loved his cowboy boots and big belt buckles and had a desire to serve and protect his country. He enlisted into the United States Army two days prior to graduation and would go on to join the Military Police Corps.  

SSG Merriweather was assigned to the 118th Military Police Company (Airborne), 503rd Military Police Battalion (Airborne), 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. where he would serve in three combat deployments. His first was in Afghanistan, then one in Iraq and his final deployment was back to Afghanistan. While SSG Merriweather was uncomfortable about his last deployment and didn’t think he would make it home alive, he deployed anyways.  

SSG Merriweather was married to U.S. Army Specialist Rachelle Merriweather and had two sons Kale and Daniel. Daniel went home in October 2009 for two weeks for the birth of his second son before returning back to Combat Outpost McClain, located in Logar Province in Eastern Afghanistan.  

SSG Merriweather was killed on January 13, 2010 after the vehicle he was driving struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which killed him instantly. 

Daniel’s mother Pamela stated that “Daniel is all country” and that he is probably “asking God, where is my cowboy hat, my belt buckle, his jeans, his boots…and where is the country music?"  

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers SSG Daniel D. Merriweather for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. Our hope is that his life continues to inspire all who learn his story.