World War II Honoree

Paul Sargent 'Starshell' Mitchell

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Wethersfield, Connecticut

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AS AN OFFICER ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP USS IDAHO (BB-42). DURING THE BATTLE FOR IWO JIMA DURING THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 19, 1945 TO MARCH 7, 1945, HE DEVELOPED THE IDEA TO KEEP THE BATTLEFIELD ASHORE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS USING ILLUMINATION (STARSHELL) ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION. HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CALCULATING THE TIMING OF FIRES UNDER HEAVY AND EVER-CHANGING WIND CONDITIONS. HIS EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE BATTLE AT NIGHT TO SUPPORT MARINE FORCES ASHORE SHIFTED THE NIGHTTIME ADVANTAGE FROM THE JAPANESE DEFENDERS AND HELPED SEAL THE ULTIMATE VICTORY AT IWO JIMA. PARTICIPATED IN FIRE SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT OKINAWA FROM MARCH 25, 1945 TO JUNE 20, 1945. HIS SHIP WAS DAMAGED BY A NEAR-MISS KAMIKAZE SUICIDE AIRPLANE ON APRIL 12, 1945 AND WAS TEMPORARILY OFF-STATION FOR REPAIRS UNTIL RETURNING TO BATTLE ON MAY 22, 1945. AFTER THE WAR, HIS SHIP ENTERED TOKYO BAY WITH OCCUPATION FORCES ON AUGUST 27, 1945 AND WITNESSED THE FORMAL JAPANESE SURRENDER ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.