From Marine Colonel to Eagle Scout, Medal of Honor winner, 83, to receive rank from Boy Scouts

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Wednesday, February 19, 2003 | A. J. Caliendo

[Willie Green]

On March 24, former West Mifflin resident and McKeesport High School graduate Mitchell Paige will join 208 other worthy recipients in a ceremony in Florida to receive the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.

While that in itself is a distinguished honor, the fact that Paige is an 83-year-old war hero and Medal of Honor recipient makes it a one-of-a-kind event.

[Dubya]

MITCH PAIGE AT BLOODY RIDGE - GUADALCANAL

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Dubya, for making the link. I just got back from a meeting. Good read Tex. Thanks for the ping.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

That's 190 miles as the crow flies.

[habs4ever]

Old coot ping ;-)

[Willie Green]

Mitch is amazing, but I doubt he can fly like a crow.
And there's a whole mountain range of uphill/downhill between Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

[GopherIt]

Nah. If he took the National Highway, it's all downhill after Uniontown. LOL.

[Willie Green]

ping

[philetus]

It's the very first book in the U.S. Marine Reading List
https://www.cnet.navy.mil/cnet/nlpg2002/monthly/mc_reading.pdf

[philetus]

Ch. 32 Paige's Hill This was the last offensive action by Japan's ground forces on Guadalcanal. It was 2 a.m., Sept. 26, 1942. The Japanese assembled their battalions for an attack on Col. Henneken's 1st Bn. 7th Regiment. PIt. Sgt. Mitch Paige machine guns were positioned in a vital draw in hilly terrain. Their guns were beefed up to fire 1,000 rpm. If the Japanese broke through their lines they would have a clear passage to Henderson Field. As the enemy surged forward Paige relayed the command down the line, "Hold your fire!" When the enemy tripped the line and the ration cans rattled everything erupted. Grenades were hurled, enemy soldiers charged with fixed bayonets. It was then that Paige yelled, "Fire machine guns! Fire!"

[philetus]

You can buy A Marine Called Mitch here:

http://www.grunt.com/catalog/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=6

[Willie Green]

Thanks!

[GopherIt]

And a thanks for this post bump. Bookmarked.

[RonF]

No project was required at the time that this gentleman earned the Eagle. For quite some time only the tenure and merit badges were required. Leadership was added later; the project came in last.