World War II Honoree

Robert Leon Mitchell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Bonnie Wieldt

Relationship

Sister

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 1, 1940 AT FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON, INDIANA. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF CANNONEER (531). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ON DECEMBER 17, 1940. WAS SERVING AT SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, OAHU, TERRITORY OF HAWAII, WHEN JAPAN ATTACKED THE ISLAND ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. LATER SERVED IN AUSTRALIA WITH THE 13TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, RETURNING TO THE USA ON APRIL 9, 1944 FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND EVALUATION. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AS A PRIVATE ON JULY 9, 1944 AT DIBBLE GENERAL HOSPITAL, MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA. EARNED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.