Lieutenant Mero was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 874 aboard the aircraft carrier USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CV-31). On September 4, 1951, while attacking entrenched enemy troops from 4,500 feet, a 20mm shell struck his aircraft causing it to crash and explode. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Mero was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.