Kenneth Merrill was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps who served with Lance Corporal William Danforth Jr. and who was later to revealed be also responsible for giving Danforth Jr. a kidney which was kept secret by Danforth's family because if news had gotten out about the transplant, then both Danforth Jr. and Merrill's careers would have abruptly ended as Marines on active duty are not allowed to serve, especially if they have undergone surgery.