Grave marker for Merlin R. Carothers in Oak Hill Memorial Park (Escondido county), California.

Merlin first enlisted in the Army at Pittsburgh, PA, volunteered for parachutist duty and fought with an unknown parachute infantry unit, perhaps the 507th.  He was transferred to Company A, 508th PIR from the Third Replacement Depot on 15 February 1945.  Pfc Carothers was discharged on 27 May 1956 and after discharge he attended college and then Ashbury Seminary in KY.  He subsequently re-joined the Army commissioned as a chaplain and retired as a Lt. Colonel.

Pennsylvania WWII Veterans Bonus Application for Merlin R. Carothers completed on 3 February 1950.

He listed his address as Trailer #3, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, KY which is in keeping with references in his obituary, below.  Once he was ordained Merlin was commissioned as a chaplain in the army.

The force of one very simple idea brought Carothers worldwide attention and put his first book at the top of the bestseller lists.

This one simple thought - that God's people are intended to give Him praise for everything that comes into their lives - is based on scriptural promises. The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God. There is nothing that He cannot turn to good and use as a source of spiritual growth to those who love and trust in the Lord.

Merlin believes that when Christians praise God - not just in spite of problems, but for the problems themselves (everything from petty annoyances to serious tragedies) - this praise releases the power of God to use the problem and bring good from it. He cites numerous examples in his books to back up that conviction. The author says, "The practice of praise is not a gimmick to get quick solutions; rather, it is a realistic recognition that anything God sends or permits in our lives must have a purpose and can be a source of divine strengthening and spiritual growth".

Merlin Carothers has come a long way over the years. From the status of a military prisoner in 1943 and relative obscurity, he rose to prominence as a nationally known author of books that need only to be referred to as the "Praise

A Master Parachutist, he served in the 82nd Airborne during three major campaigns of World War II and then as a guard to General Eisenhower. Later he became a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Chaplaincy, pilot with the Civil Air Patrol, author, lecturer, pastor and evangelist. Add to this list of achievements that of being a frequent guest on Christian Television, speaking all over the United States and in many countries, speaking in some of the largest churches in the world - on one occasion to a gathering of half a million. Readers of his books have contacted him from all around the world.

Thousands of people have expressed a desire to study under Mr. Carothers' leadership to learn how to have spiritual joy! Interest in the unique insight that God has given through his ministry has grown, as people are searching for a positive answer to resentment, guilt, depression and personal tragedy. Christians have been overwhelmed to learn that they can live in peace as they discover the secrets of a life of praise. As you read these books and watch the movie based on the book, you will discover why thousands of people are firmly convinced that PRAISE WORKS!

To learn more about Merlin, his books and the Foundation of Praise, please visit his website. In the August 2015 issue of Merlin's PRAISE NEWS, his and Mary's daughter, Joann Carothers Thomas of Escondido left memorial gifts for Merlin and his two brothers: David "Bert" Carothers and Gerald "Jerry" Carothers.

Merlin's burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Escondido, California, has been confirmed by his ministry, Foundation of Praise.