Special Forces Officer Honored for Heroism in Mazar-e-Sharif Prison Battle

DoD ^ | Jennifer K. Whittle & Army Reserve 1st Lt. Steve Alvarez

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Special Forces Officer Honored for Heroism in Mazar-e-Sharif Prison Battle
By Jennifer K. Whittle & Army Reserve 1st Lt. Steve Alvarez Special to American Forces Press Service
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Nov. 14, 2003 — The first Distinguished Service Cross awarded since the Vietnam War, and the highest military decoration awarded to date in the war on terror, was presented today to Army Special Forces Maj. Mark Mitchell. Mitchell earned the medal for his leadership during the Battle of Qala-I-Jangi Fortress during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was the ground force commander of a rescue operation where he ensured the freedom of one American and posthumous repatriation of another. Central Intelligence Agency Director George Tenet, and Gen. Bryan “Doug” Brown, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, presided over the award ceremony at the command’s headquarters in Tampa, Fla. “On Nov. 25, 2001 at Mazar-e-Sharif, Maj. Mark Mitchell demonstrated why courage is one of the four traits that in special operations is non-negotiable,” Brown said after pinning the award on Mitchell. “He demonstrated one of our core values – courage, courage under the most dire of circumstances, and another core value of commitment, commitment to fellow Americans. He willingly led an attack in the face of overwhelming odds.” Mitchell, however, seemed uncomfortable in the spotlight. More than 30 of his family members attended the ceremony, including family members of CIA agent Johnny “Mike” Spann, the first American killed in Afghanistan. “It is a tremendous honor, but I don’t consider myself a hero,” Mitchell said. “I am not personally convinced that my actions warranted more than a pat on the back. Wearing the Special Forces foreign-service combat patch on my shoulder and serving with the finest soldiers in the world is enough. I was just doing my job and our mission was accomplished.” Mitchell’s award citation states that he received the nation's second-highest military award for “extraordinary heroism in action” during the battle of Qala-I-Jangi Fortress in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, during November 2001, while assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a ground forces commander. The details of how the bloody battle started are still unconfirmed. However, most reports from eyewitnesses indicate that the three-day conflict erupted when an a Taliban enemy prisoner of war drew a grenade while being searched, pulled the pin and killed himself and a Northern Alliance commander. The suicide attack triggered the uprising and an estimated 500 Taliban prisoners being held in Qala-I-Jangi, which means “House of War,” stormed two CIA agents working at the facility who were interviewing prisoners. Spann, one of ambushed agents, died at the prison and the other agent escaped. Mitchell, 38, a Desert Storm veteran, heard of the attack when a Northern Alliance soldier rushed into a facility his unit was preparing for humanitarian workers and told him that he and his men were needed immediately at the prison.	U.S. Army Maj. Mark Mitchell, Special Forces soldier, is pinned with the second highest military decoration for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross, for combat actions in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, by Gen. Bryan "Doug" Brown, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, Nov. 14, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. U.S. Army photo by Jennifer Whittle Mitchell organized a team of 16 British and American soldiers and sped to the prison about 25 kilometers away. When they arrived, Mitchell led his soldiers into battle against prisoners who had armed themselves with rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, machine guns, and rifles they collected from armories at the prison. Armed with a rifle and pistol, Mitchell, wearing no body armor and head protection, climbed to the highest point of the fortress to survey the battleground. From that vantage point, Mitchell’s men began to call in air strikes on the Taliban. Later that evening, Mitchell and his men withdrew from the prison to plan the next day’s operations. The following morning, Mitchell’s men returned to the fortress and were greeted by a barrage of gunfire. Mitchell and his unit requested more air support, but misfortune struck when a bomb fell near Mitchell’s team injuring nine of his soldiers. After evacuating his injured men for most of the day, Mitchell returned to the fortress under the cover of darkness with five men and directed more air strikes on the enemy positions. By morning of the third day, most of the prisoners had been killed, and those who remained were killed when the Northern Alliance rolled into the compound with tanks. Other Taliban later killed themselves rather than surrender. John Walker Lindh, the Californian who traveled to Afghanistan to help the Taliban, was captured when the battle ended. Mitchell’s award credits “his unparalleled courage under fire, decisive leadership and personal sacrifice,” which it said “were directly responsible for the success of the rescue operation and were further instrumental in ensuring the city of Mazar-e-Sharif did not fall back in the hands of the Taliban.” Mitchell is now assigned to Special Operations Command Central. (Jennifer K. Whittle is with U.S. Special Operations Command Public Affairs.)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Mitchell’s award credits “his unparalleled courage under fire, decisive leadership and personal sacrifice,” which it said “were directly responsible for the success of the rescue operation and were further instrumental in ensuring the city of Mazar-e-Sharif did not fall back in the hands of the Taliban.”

 

 

 

  http://www.honormikespann.org/

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[TPartyType]

"It is a tremendous honor, but I don't consider myself a hero," Mitchell said. "I am not personally convinced that my actions warranted more than a pat on the back. Wearing the Special Forces foreign-service combat patch on my shoulder and serving with the finest soldiers in the world is enough."

I wonder if humility is one of the four non-negotiable traits of special ops. Mitchell exemplifies that one for sure!

[Catspaw]

He's a Milwaukee native, and he does our state proud. Here's the coverage from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

A soldier's honor, a profile in courage

Distinguished Service Cross bestowed on Milwaukee native

By MARK JOHNSON
markjohnson@journalsentinel.com

Last Updated: Nov. 14, 2003

Tampa - On a day steeped in the military language of honor and sacrifice, Milwaukee native Maj. Mark Mitchell received the Distinguished Service Cross Friday before a crowd that included 35 relatives, CIA Director George Tenet and, most poignantly, the widow of the CIA agent whose body he fought to recover.

Shannon Spann, whose husband, Johnny "Mike" Spann, died in the bloody uprising of Taliban prisoners at the Qala-I-Jangi fortress in Afghanistan, sat quietly a couple of rows from the front.

Tampa, Fla.

Photo/Macdill Air Force Base

Maj. Mark Mitchell (right) is awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by Gen. Bryan D. Brown at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., Friday. The Special Forces officer was honored for his courage and leadership when he led the effort to quell an uprising of 500 Taliban prisoners of war in Afghanistan in 2001.

What Was Said

Mark Mitchell's truly a great American, truly an American hero.

- Commander Kevin Aandahl,
Public affairs officer for Special Operations Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base

It was Mark's presence. It was Mark's leadership. It was Mark's courage that made the difference in that battle.

- Gen. Bryan D. Brown,
U.S. Special Operations Command

To Mrs. Shannon Spann, for your personal sacrifice, which is an inspiration to us all, I'm honored to have served with your husband, and to have youshare this day with me and my family.

- Maj. Mark Mitchell,
Recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross

Wearing his newly pinned Distinguished Service Cross, Mitchell looked at her as he spoke.

"To Mrs. Shannon Spann, for your personal sacrifice, which is an inspiration to us all, I'm honored to have served with your husband, and to have you share this day with me and my family," said Mitchell, a 38-year-old Special Forces officer and father of two.

The major stepped down from the podium and presented bouquets of flowers to his wife and his mother, Kathy Mitchell. Then he presented a bouquet to Shannon Spann and hugged her as she clapped his back.

It was an extraordinary event for Special Forces officers, who strive to keep their names and especially their faces from the public spotlight.

"We don't make these types of events happen very often, but I think what's behind this is that it's such a very high award," said Cmdr. Kevin Aandahl, public affairs officer for Special Operations Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, where the ceremony took place. "Mark Mitchell's truly a great American, truly an American hero."

Established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1918, the Distinguished Service Cross is the nation's second-highest military honor behind only the Medal of Honor. No higher honor has been awarded to anyone in the war on terrorism.

Mitchell was recognized for his "unparalleled courage under fire, decisive leadership and personal sacrifice" in November 2001 when he led the effort to quell an uprising of 500 Taliban prisoners of war, many of whom had surrendered.

With no body armor or helmet and vastly outnumbered, Mitchell led about 15 Special Forces and foreign allies as they sought to rescue another CIA agent, recover Spann's body and prevent the Taliban from taking over the fortress.

During the three-day battle, Mitchell scaled a 30- to 35-foot-high fortress wall using the unwound turban of a Northern Alliance soldier.

From a vulnerable position on the wall, he directed air strikes that proved vital in defeating the Taliban fighters at the fortress. He saw the 2,000 pound bombs roar to their targets, looking like enormous white lawn darts, and felt the blast waves from the explosions.

Mitchell also braved enemy fire in his search for the second CIA agent, who was eventually able to escape over the fortress wall. Even when an errant bomb injured nine of his men - more than half - he was able to evacuate the injured and direct the remaining soldiers as they repelled the Taliban attacks.

"The patriot, the soldier, the hero we honor together this afternoon repeatedly placed himself at grave risk in the hope of saving others," Tenet told the audience at MacDill. "In a world in which most flee from danger, Major Mark Mitchell belongs in the essential number who go forward and meet it."

"It was Mark's presence, it was Mark's leadership, it was Mark's courage that made the difference in that battle," said Gen. Bryan D. Brown, of the U.S. Special Operations Command.

The general presented the award, pinning it to Mitchell's already well-decorated uniform. His other honors include a Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.

For his part, Mitchell said he had merely done his duty and considered the Special Forces patch on his shoulder "recognition enough."

He told his wife and two daughters, "You're the only people I ever hoped would consider me a hero."

In 85 years, the Distinguished Service Cross has now been awarded fewer than 7,000 times. Prior to Mitchell's award, the honor was last bestowed on Dec. 15, 1973.

Another Wisconsin recipient, Keith R. Borck, of Baraboo, was the first American to win the award in Vietnam when he was honored for evacuating two helicopter crews in the face of intense automatic weapon fire on Jan. 2, 1963, in the Mekong River delta.

From the Nov. 15, 2003 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

[MEG33]

I saw this presentation on TV.This is a remarkable man,a true hero.Thank you,Maj.Mitchell.

[astounded]

Now - profile Maj Mitchell in comparison to the truly sorry bunch of democrats - especially that pathetic goon Kerrey, who dishonored himself after returning from SEA - striving to become his CIC, and you will be repulsed. Try to imagine Maj Mitchell throwing "his" medals over the White House fence - then think about fancy-pants Kerrey who envisions himself as qualified to be CIC - it's impossible without making your head explode.

I don't understand how men such as Maj Mitchell can tolerate the democrat politicians, even how he managed to stay on active duty through the last administration, but I thank God we have him, and the rest of the SOC warriors now overseas.

[MEG33]

Amen

[VOA]

I wonder if humility is one of the four non-negotiable traits of special ops.
Mitchell exemplifies that one for sure!

Seems to be a fairly common trait for a lot of our volunteer force.
Including Pvt. Patrick Miller, the guy who got decorated for defending his buddies
during the 507th inciddent.
It hasn't gotten much press, but I think one news report said that Miller was
forced to hand-load his semi-jammed M-16 and use it as a "single-shot" during the
approximate hour when he was picking off Iraqi insurgents.

(type in PATRICKMILLER in the search box as a Keyword to see the archive of his articles)

[archy]

The suicide attack triggered the uprising and an estimated 500 Taliban prisoners being held in Qala-I-Jangi, which means “House of War,” stormed two CIA agents working at the facility who were interviewing prisoners. Spann, one of ambushed agents, died at the prison and the other agent escaped.

Whatdaya think, Rags? Shall we tell everybody the rest of the story? And offer some thanks where it's due?

We owe somebody BIGTIME for that one....

[blackie]

Special Forces Officer Honored for Heroism in Mazar-e-Sharif Prison Battle ~ Bump!

[MEG33]

Share.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[DainBramage]

Is this guy Delta?

[archy]

Is this guy Delta?

The name rings a bell from Task Force Dagger, previously in Afghanistan, I believe. See Robin Moore's book The Hunt for bin-Laden; which I don't have my copy of right at hand. Possibly A-595, whose activities are well described in the book, or possibly *Triple nickle* A-555- I don't recall which. Gettin old, I guess, they say first the memory goes and then it the uh, er...what WERE we talking about?

[MediaMole]

Yesterday's story.

In the line of duty, a hero emerges

[archy]

Share.

Indeed:

Sunday, January 12, 2003
Gabriel Syme (London)Anglosphere|Military affairs|

'Honor' where honour's due

America is to award the Congressional Medal of Honour, the equivalent of the Victoria Cross, to a British Special Boat Service (formerly Special Boat Squadron) commando who led the rescue of a CIA officer from an Afghan prison revolt.

It will be the first time the medal has been awarded to a living foreigner. The Queen will have to give permission for the SBS soldier to wear it.

The SBS senior NCO led a patrol of half-a-dozen SBS commandos who rescued a member of the CIA's special activities section from the fort at Qala-i-Jangi near Mazar-i-Sharif, last November. The fort was holding 500 al-Qa'eda and Taliban prisoners, many of whom had not been searched and were still armed.

An exchange of fire developed into a full-scale revolt and two CIA officers who had been interrogating the prisoners were caught in the battle in which one was killed. The uprising went on for three days and the SBS commandos remained throughout, bringing down aerial fire to quell the revolt.

The battle was one of the most contentious episodes in the war last year with human rights groups raising concerns over air strikes against prisoners, some of them unarmed.

The eagerness of the Americans to recognise the courage of the NCO contrasts with suspicion within the regiment that two SAS soldiers being considered for VCs for an attack on the al-Qaeda cave complex will not get them.

Not by strength, by guile- Special Boat Service, Royal Marines

[archy]

Share.

Indeed:

Sunday, January 12, 2003
Gabriel Syme (London)Anglosphere|Military affairs|

'Honor' where honour's due

America is to award the Congressional Medal of Honour, the equivalent of the Victoria Cross, to a British Special Boat Service (formerly Special Boat Squadron) commando who led the rescue of a CIA officer from an Afghan prison revolt.

It will be the first time the medal has been awarded to a living foreigner. The Queen will have to give permission for the SBS soldier to wear it.

The SBS senior NCO led a patrol of half-a-dozen SBS commandos who rescued a member of the CIA's special activities section from the fort at Qala-i-Jangi near Mazar-i-Sharif, last November. The fort was holding 500 al-Qa'eda and Taliban prisoners, many of whom had not been searched and were still armed.

An exchange of fire developed into a full-scale revolt and two CIA officers who had been interrogating the prisoners were caught in the battle in which one was killed. The uprising went on for three days and the SBS commandos remained throughout, bringing down aerial fire to quell the revolt.

The battle was one of the most contentious episodes in the war last year with human rights groups raising concerns over air strikes against prisoners, some of them unarmed.

The eagerness of the Americans to recognise the courage of the NCO contrasts with suspicion within the regiment that two SAS soldiers being considered for VCs for an attack on the al-Qaeda cave complex will not get them.

Not by strength, by guile- Special Boat Service, Royal Marines

[MEG33]

This is very impressive.God bless them.

[Herodotus]

He's in there. P. 171---

[archy]

He's in there. P. 171---

I thought the name was familiar. Thanks for the reference.

-archy-/-