George Washington University John David Merwin (September 26, 1921 – 17 March 2013[1]) was a former politician of the United States Virgin Islands who served in that territory's Legislature, as government secretary (equivalent to lieutenant governor), and as the first native-born governor.
He was perhaps the first "politician" to be made governor as previous appointees were primarily men of the military, industry, or non-elected government servants.
He was an avid campaigner for a USVI representative in the United States Congress.
The following year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower nominated him for governor on August 4, Congress approved and he was sworn in on September 25.
As governor, he worked to build a second airport on St. Thomas, but that plan was scrapped by his successor.