<p>
<em>Floyd Allen Mitchell</em>, the son of James E. and Catherine Freeman Mitchell, was born in Barre, Vermont, on November 16, 1901.</p>
<p>
“Mitch,” as he was affectionately known, attended grammar and high school in Barre, Vermont. Having lived with West Point and the army as a goal from the age of eight, he entered the United States Military Academy directly after finishing high school.</p>
<p>
The <em>Howitzer</em> sums up his record at the Academy concisely:</p>
<p>
“Rifle Marksman; Pistol Marksman; Chapel Choir (4); Sergeant (1); Boxing (4)”</p>
<p>
“ ‘Mr. Mitchell, F.A. sir’— ‘Riveter in a ship-yard, sir’— ‘No excuse, sir’. Three years and some months ago “Mitch” might have been heard to make some such statements as these, but no more. For who is he who doesn’t know our blue-eyed, Green Mountain boy now? Always on hand when any game is called, and ready with a lusty sound-off for the Army team, ‘Mitch’ has proved himself as steadfast a follower of sports as he is a leader in the realm of academics. And, boys, that’s where he shines! As long as there are first sections, ‘Mitch’ will be found among ‘those present’. No, he’s not a file-boner either—just naturally hivey. It’s a good thing he is, too; for he needs his time to keep up with his course in correspondence. Back in Barre they say he’s a farmer, but here he’s an engineer. If you would know more why just give the Podunk Femme a ‘ring’—he did!”</p>
<p>
On June 12, 1924, graduation day, he married Miss Marion Tilden, also of Barre, Vermont.</p>
<p>
Upon graduation “Mitch” was assigned to the Coast Artillery Corps and reported for Battery duty with the 62nd Coast Artillery at Fort Totten, New York. His assignment there terminated on March 7, 1928 and he was ordered for duty with the 16th Coast Artillery at Fort DeRussy, T. H. At the completion of his foreign service in 1931, he went to Fort Monroe, Virginia, as a student officer, Coast Artillery School, where he remained until 1932, when he was graduated from the Battery Officers’ Course. “Mitch” spent from Septemer 1, 1932 to June 6, 1933, as a student officer, M.I.T., at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and at the end of his course received the degree of M.S. in Electrical Engineering. His next station was Fort H. G. Wright, N. Y., and his duty was Inspector of C.C.C. camps in Connecticut. In 1934, he was assigned to the United States Military Academy as Instructor in the Department of Chemistry and Electricity. He remained on this duty until 1936, when he went to the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as a student officer. He was graduated on June 21, 1937 and placed on the G.S.C. Eligible List. “Mitch” returned for his second tour of duty at the United States Military Academy as Instructor in the Department of Chemistry and Electricity on July 29, 1937 and remained until 1941.</p>
<p>
Of “Mitch’s” service at West Point the head of the department had this to say:</p>
<p>
“Colonel Mitchell was one of the most competent and efficient officers ever to serve in the Department of Chemistry and Electricity. Every phase of the work in this department was mastered by him and his ability to teach cadets was always superior. His great loyalty and spirit of cooperation coupled with a keen and alert intellect, which was never satisfied with any solution but the best, made his service in the Department invaluable. Hardly a week went by that he did not make a constructive suggestion for the improvement of the Department with all details worked out and presented. If he had lived he would have been seriously considered for head of the Department”.</p>
<p>
“Mitch” left West Point June 1941 for the Philippine Islands and station at Fort Mills, Corregidor. Here his duties consisted of Commanding the Mine Command, largest mine project of the United States Army; Battalion Commander, Regimental Plans and Training Officer. Of his duty here his commanding officer said: “He was one of the most efficient officers I have ever known. I have never seen anyone more loyal or more devoted to duty. . . During shell fire by the Japanese at Fort Mills he helped repair the communication lines used in the tactical disposition of his regiment, exposing himself beyond the call of duty and enabling his organization to complete its mission. On April 25 1942, while Battery Rock Point, Corregidor, was being shelled by Japanese artillery emplaced on Bataan, one officer and two Filipino Scout Soldiers were seriously wounded and were lying in a position exposed to constant artillery fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell removed the injured personnel to a place of safety and medical treatment”.</p>
<p>
A letter received by Mrs. Mitchell from Major Gulick, who served with her husband, reads as follows: “Colonel Mitchell’s performance of duty during the siege of Corregidor was outstanding. I looked to and received help from him many, many times when help was hard to find. All the junior officers of the 91st admired your husband during the last days of Corregidor in a way that can never be expressed. He was calm in danger and sympathetic and helpful to all”. And later “Many Filipinos, former soldiers of the 91st C.A. came up to me in Manila and inquired for him (Colonel Mitchell) with the sincerest affection and sorrow”.</p>
<p>
“He recognized the devotion to duty of his subordinates and justly rewarded them.”</p>
<p>
A Filipino enlisted man, Rufino Lara, who was regimental runner and orderly, said of Colonel Mitchell: “He never went to shelter during air raids or during heavy shelling of his gun positions from Bataan, but usually ordered the men to them and then alone manned the observation post … Lara claimed that he, with many others, directly owe their lives to Colonel Mitchell.</p>
<p>
He was held as a prisoner of war at Camp Davao and later at Camp Cabanatuan until his transfer to the prison ship for its fatal voyage.</p>
<p>
In the only letter received by Mrs. Mitchell that was written during Colonel Mitchell’s imprisonment (written October 15, 1944 and recovered from Japanese at the time of the liberation of the Philippines), he said: “Am writing this and leaving it with an officer detailed to stay here with the sick. I hope he will be able to deliver this directly into American hands and hence to you. I expect to leave for Japan tomorrow and will probably be held there until after the end of the war. We have lived in daily hope that the Americans might relieve us soon and we could resume the fight where we left off in May 1942. Our prospects of getting to Japan are none too good and I want you and the girls to know that thoughts of you have been the only factor which has kept me going so far and that I will be thinking of you to the end whether good or otherwise. I have no particular fear of the trip because I’ve been near the end so often that I’ve become quite used to it”.</p>
<p>
For his action in the Philippines he received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star posthumously, with the following citation:</p>
<p>
“Lieutenant Colonel Floyd A. Mitchell displayed outstanding gallantry on Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 15 and 25 April 1942. During extremely heavy enemy artillery fire, he courageously assisted in repairing the regimental telephone lines and on an occasion when two Filipino Scouts lay wounded in an area under heavy artillery concentrations, heroically made his way to where they lay and assisted them to safety. His conduct reflects credit upon himself and the military service”.</p>
<p>
Mrs. Mitchell and their two daughters are now living in Amherst, Massachusetts. Marilyn graduated with honors from Skidmore College in May 1946 and is attending the Katharine Gibbs School in New York City this year. Elizabeth is a junior in Amherst high school.</p>
<p>
All who knew him will always remember him as a perfect friend, gentleman and officer.</p>
<p>
</p>