World War II Honoree

William R. Mitchell, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cleveland County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE 116TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 29TH INFANTRY ‘BLUE AND GRAY’ DIVISION, U.S. 1ST ARMY. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE VAST ARMADA THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, OPERATION OVERLORD. HIS REGIMENT WAS GIVEN THE OBJECTIVE TO SPEARHEAD THE D-DAY ASSAULT AGAINST OMAHA BEACH ON THE FRENCH COAST, GOING ASHORE WITH THE 1ST WAVE, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944 AT 06:30 HOURS. KILLED IN ACTION MONDAY, JULY 17, 1944 DURING THE BATTLE OF ST. LO, FRANCE AND IS BURIED IN THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES ON OMAHA BEACH.