World War II Honoree

Harold Dean Mitchell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Bonnie Wieldt

Relationship

Sister

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON FEBRUARY 16, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE CORPS OF MILITARY POLICE, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF MILITARY POLICEMAN (677). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JUNE 23, 1943 BOUND FOR NORTH AFRICA. FOUGHT WITH UNKNOWN UNITS IN THE SICILIAN CAMPAIGN AND THE NAPLES-FOGGIA, ANZIO, AND ROME-ARNO ITALIAN CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION TWICE IN ITALY, SUFFERING A RIGHT HAND INJURY AND A SEVERE CONCUSSION. REMOVED FROM THE BATTLEFIELD AND RETURNED TO THE STATES ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1944 FOR TREATMENT, OBSERVATION, AND LIGHT DUTY. ASSIGNED TO THE 1560TH SERVICE COMMAND UNIT, PRISONER OF WAR CAMP, AT CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AS A PRIVATE ON JULY 5, 1945 AT WAKEMAN GENERAL HOSPITAL, SAME STATION. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.