World War II Honoree

John H. Mitchell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Winnfield, Louisiana

Honored By

Millie Neal

Relationship

Friend

Drafted July 29, 1943. Reported for duty to Fort Humbug in Shreveport, Louisiana and was classified for the infantry at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. Trained at Camp Adair, Oregon, Camp Beale at Merryville and Camp San Luis Obispo in California. As a replacement, joined the 81st infantry, Wildcat Division, 373rd Regiment, Rifle Company K. Underwent jungle training at Oahu, Hawaii. Sailed to the South Pacific on August 12, 1944. Reached Guadalcanal Island on August 24. After training was ordered to proceed to the Palau islands of Alit Hi Atoll, Ngulu Atoll, Pulo Anna Island, Kay Angel Atoll, Fais islands and to Peleliu Island for mopping up combat exercises. His next orders were to proceed to Leyte in the Philippines and prepare for his last mission, the invasion of Japan. On September 25, 1945 entered the Japanese mainland with fixed bayonets fully prepared for combat. After the war ended, was discharged from military service on February 7, 1946 and was separated from the service at Camp Fannin, Texas. Medals received were the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Theater Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and WWII Victory Medal. Military records show that he was recommended for the Purple Heart award on June 14, 1945 while in combat on Peleliu Island.