Merritte Weber Ireland was the 23rd U.S. Army Surgeon General, serving in that capacity from 1918 to 1931.
Ireland was born in in Indiana on May 31, 1867, graduating M.D from the Detroit College of Medicine in 1890 and Jefferson Medical College the following year. He went on to serve as a surgeon with the 45th U.S. Volunteer Infantry in 1899 before being honourably discharged in 1901. In 1903, he was commissioned as a surgeon into the Medical Corps.
During World War I, Ireland served as chief surgeon of the American Expeditionary Forces. He was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his service during the war.
In 1919, Ireland became one of several distinguished military and naval surgeons from British forces and their allies awarded Honorary Fellowship of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Those honoured were chosen by the College Council "on account of their eminent services and also as representatives of the splendid work done by all those under their commands during the Great War, 1914-1918."
