I'm a Vietnam Veteran, (FMF Hospital Corpsman) who had the honor of serving with Kilo and Lima Companies, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment in I Corps, RVN in 1969. I came back to the World approximately an ounce overweight.
I'm 74 years old, married for THIRTY-THREE! GLORIOUS years to mfkmmof4 (aka "Chick") with six putatively adult children and live in the People's Republic of Maryland.
Christmas Day, 2011
At the National Museum of the Marine Corps - 14Jan2012
My Father, Lt. Thomas G. Mitchell, MSC, USN 28Jan1959
Seaman Recruit Thomas J. Mitchell, USN Co. 583, Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois December, 1967
My daughter Meghan is an Assistant Professor of Digital Foundations in the Fine Arts Department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
My daughter Mary graduated May 14, 2011 cum laude with a major in International Relations from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
Barbelin Hall, St. Joseph's University
Mary recently returned from a six-month mission to Kenya in a program providing aid to African children with AIDS.
Mary in Kenya on an earlier Service Trip - 2011
Stained Glass Window, St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, Laurel, Maryland
Parishioner of St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, 1989 to date. Liturgical Cantor, St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, 1992 - 2007. Member, St. Mary of the Mills Chancel Choir, 2000 to date. Member, St. Mary of the Mills Parish Council, 2005 - 2008. (Vice Chairman, 2006-2007) Member, St. Mary of the Mills Liturgy Committee, 2008 to date. Member, Knights of Columbus Archbishop Curley Assembly #383
Member, Knights of Columbus Patuxent Council #2203 (Lecturer, 2004-2006)
Member, Ancient Order of Hibernians, John F. Kennedy Division No. 5
Member, American Legion Post 60
Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Life Member, 1st Marine Division Association
Member, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
Member, Disabled American Veterans
Photo is of me, HM/3 Thomas J. Mitchell and HM/3 Glenn G. Simpson in the 3/5 rear area in An Hoa, Quang Nam Province, RVN in early August, 1969. We went to Field Medical Service School at Camp Pendleton together, came in country the same day, were assigned to the same battalion, and were wounded in action minutes apart on August 18, 1969 in the same engagement. Dust-off pulled us both out to the 95th Evac. Hospital in Danang on the same chopper.
Photo is of me and my father, Cdr. T.G. Mitchell, MSC, USN on August 25, 1969 at NNMC Bethesda, Maryland when he presented me with my Purple Heart Medal. Later the same day, he retired from the Navy after 24 years of service both as an enlisted man and officer. After finishing Hospital Corps "A" School, I was stationed at USNH, Quantico, Virginia, where I served as Senior Corpsman on the Surgical Ward. While stationed at Quantico, I spent many a pleasant evening at the original Globe & Laurel in Q'Town. The Founder and Owner, Major Rick Spooner, USMC, and his late wife Gloria were magnificent hosts. After my tour in Quantico, I completed Field Medical Service School at Camp Pendleton, California prior to deployment to Vietnam. I was wounded in action when my platoon was ambushed on August 18, 1969. I was then medevacked to 95 Evac Hospital, Danang. From there I went to Clark AFB, Philippines and USNH, Agana, Guam, where I underwent some additional wound debridement, and finally back to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. I was in hospital, on convalescent leave and then on limited duty until February, 1970.
For the last two years of my enlistment I was stationed at Center Command, NNMC Bethesda performing administrative duties. I was separated from active duty on August 30, 1971 and received my Honorable Discharge August 1, 1973.
Here's mine, Kerry, you traitorous bastard! Where the Hell is yours?
Memorial Chapel, Loyola University Maryland
After separation from the Navy, I attended Loyola University Maryland, from which I graduated in May 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. I had sufficient semester hours to graduate with a double major in English Literature and History, but I declined to take one of the core courses requisite for History majors.
I then attended the University of Miami School of Law where I graduated with a Juris Doctor in January 1978. I practice law in the District of Columbia.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
FREEDOM ISNT FREE!
I pledge allegiance To the flag Of the United States of America And to the Republic For which it stands One Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.
A Hospital Corpsmans Prayer
Lord, As I embark upon this path that you, in your infinite wisdom, have set before me, I pray that you will guide my hand, my heart and my mind. Keep me faithful to my oath, always aware of the seriousness of my duties, and above all the sacredness of life. Let me not be a glory seeker, but rather a servant, as You the Great Physician to whom all Glory belongs, served even us. Help me face the trials before me, death of those I come to love, and personal disappointments without losing heart or faith. May I place first the welfare of those entrusted to my care, and self last. Above all Lord, protect me from my pride, for there is nothing I can do through what skill I may possess that is not in your will that it be done. Amen
MILITARY SERVICE OF MITCHELL AND RELATED FAMILIES
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Samuel Brison
CIVIL WAR
Cpl. William Murphy Battery "C", Fifth U.S. Artillery Cpl. John Ritenour Brison, 1st Virginia Light Artillery Pvt. Henry Manga, Co. D, 3rd Regiment, Michigan Infantry
WORLD WAR I
Pvt. William J. Rafferty Co. G, 110th Infantry, 28th Division Pfc. Thomas P. Rafferty Co. L, 111th Infantry, 28th Division Cpl. Francis J. Lewis, Batt. C, 109th Field Artillery, 28th Division
WORLD WAR II
RM/3 Thomas G. Mitchell, USN Capt. John T. Dowd, USA, 82nd Airborne Division SSgt. Joseph T. Gavin, USA, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Co. F, 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division Cpl. James J. "Jerry" Gavin, USAAF, 411 Base Unit S 1/C Bernard P. Murray, USN Sgt. John J. Cliggett, USA Joseph F. Brassill, USA Mrs. Mary A. Gavin Sullivan Civilian US Navy Yard, Philadelphia PA Eng. Cornelius G. Manga, Pennsylvania Railroad T/Sgt Joseph F. Brassill, USA Sgt. Harry W. Kunze, Jr., USMC Raymond E. Gallinger, Jr., USA Sgt. William J. Brennan, USAAF Pfc. George T. Manga, USA Pfc. Thomas W. Manga, USA S 2/C C. Joseph Campbell, USN USS Franklin (CV-13) Francis J. Lewis, USAAF Richard A. Mitchell, Jr., USA
KOREAN WAR
RM/3 Thomas G. Mitchell, USN - USS Borie, DD704 --- (Commissioned an Ensign, MSC, USN - 29 June 1951 Capt. John T. Dowd, USA, 101st Airborne Division Capt. Andrew A. Sullivan, MC, USA Francis William Gavin, USA
COLD WAR
CS/2 Joseph T. Manga, USCG John T. Dowd, Jr., USCG RADM John P. Jarabak, USN
VIETNAM WAR
Cdr. Thomas G. Mitchell, MSC, USN NAMRU-2 Maj. John T. Dowd, USA Special Forces HM/2 Thomas J. Mitchell. USN, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment Sgt. Charles M. Doran, USA, 101st Airborne Division Robert Posnek, USMC, 1st Marine Division Bernard P. Murray, Jr., USN Robert N. Alexander, USN
OPERATION DESERT STORM
FCCM Rob Collins, USN
WAR ON TERROR
HM/3 Michael Collins, USN HM/3 Joseph Mitchell, USN
