FIRST LIEUTENANT
FRANK NICIAS MITCHELL, USMC (DECEASED) 
 

Medal of Honor Citation

Frank Nicias Mitchell was born 18 August 1921, in Indian Gap, Texas, and was a 1938 graduate of Roaring Springs High School. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1939, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1945, following World War II service aboard the aircraft carrier USSEnterprise at Wake Island, and additional service in the Marshall Islands, and occupation duty in China. He was also attached to Fleet Marine Force Pacific as a member of its rifle and pistol team.

He attended Colorado College under the Navy V-12 program, and also attended Southwestern University and North Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College. He played varsity football in college for two years.

First Lieutenant Mitchell was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, when he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life in action against the enemy. He was cited for extraordinary heroism for waging a single-handed battle against the enemy on 26 November 1950, near Hansan-ni, to cover the withdrawal of wounded Marines, despite multiple wounds to himself.

The Medal of Honor was presented 6 August 1952, to 1stLt Mitchell's widow and daughter by Lieutenant Colonel Henry D. Strunk, the acting director of the 6th Marine Corps Reserve District, at their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, 1stLt Mitchell was awarded the Silver Star; Bronze Star with Combat "V;" the Purple Heart with a Gold Star in lieu of a second award; Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars; the Good Conduct Medal with one bar; the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the China Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars; and the United Nations Service Medal.

Korean War Medal of Honor