World War II Honoree

James Alexander Mitchell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Milford, New Hampshire

Honored By

Fern Mitchell Hammond

Relationship

Daughter

OVERSEAS DECEMBER 10, 1944 WITH THE 394TH COMPANY, 9TH BATTALION, PLATOON 3. UPON REACHING ITALY HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE 86TH MOUNTAIN INFANTRY REGIMENT. HE SAW MOST OF HIS SERVICE IN THE VOLTURNO RIVER VALLEY IN ITALY, A REGION KNOWN AS THE PURPLE HEART VALLEY BECAUSE OF THE MANY KILLED AND WOUNDED THERE. HE WAS BIVOUACKED ON THE DAIRY FARM OF COUNT CAUCAU, A SON-IN-LAW OF MUSSOLINI WHOM MUSSOLINI HAD EXECUTED. IN THE SUMMER OF 1945 HE WAS IN THE PO VALLEY AND WENT UP THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS OF THAT REGION, FIRST ALONG THE SWISS AND AUSTRIAN BORDERS AND THEN ON THE YUGOSLAVIA LINE. HE RECEIVED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE.