Merle J. Smith Jr., left, and his father, U.S. Army Col. Merle J. Smith Sr., at the Coast Guard Academy commencement in New London, Conn., in 1966.
Coast Guard Commandant Willard J. Smith is seen behind them. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo) NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) - Merle Smith Jr., the first Black cadet to graduate from the Coast Guard Academy, has died, his family said.