World War II Honoree

Joseph Roland 'Joe' Mitchell

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Leroy, Texas

Honored By

C.J. Willis, MTB Ron 19 Mate

ASSIGNED TO MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT (MTB) SQUADRONS SOUTH PACIFIC. FURTHER ASSIGNED TO MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT SQUADRON 19 (RON 19), BASED ON VELLA LAVELLA ISLAND IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC AREA IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AS A BOATSWAIN’S MATE SECOND CLASS WITH THE RON 19 BASE FORCE. PARTICIPATED IN THE TREASURY-BOUGAINVILLE OPERATION. KILLED IN ACTION ABOUT 1430 HOURS ON DECEMBER 14, 1943 WHILE WORKING ALONG THE FUEL DOCK-STOREHOUSE AREA AT LAMBU LAMBU COVE ON VELLA LAVELLA ISLAND. THE AREA, WHICH WAS USED TO REFUEL BOATS AND FOR STORAGE OF AMMUNITION AND OTHER SUPPLIES, WAS INSTANTLY A BLAZING INFERNO. AMMUNITION WAS EXPLODING, FUEL BURNING, AND A BOAT COMPLETELY IN FLAMES. HE WAS TRAPPED IN THE STORAGE HUT WHERE HE WAS WORKING AND PERISHED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS A SMALL GASOLINE ENGINE BACKFIRING DURING REFUELING THAT IGNITED THE HIGH-OCTANE AVIATION FUEL USED FOR THE BOATS. POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.