High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Major General Merritt Austin Edson (April 25, 1897–August 14, 1955), known as "Red Mike", was a general in the United States Marine Corps. Among the decorations he received was the Medal of Honor, two Navy Crosses, the Silver Star, and two Legions of Merit. He is best known by Marines for the defense of Lunga Ridge during the Guadalcanal Campaign in World War II.