Oliver Mitchell

Oliver Mitchell
Born	March 14, 1917(1917-03-14) Los Angeles, California
Died	August 28, 1942(1942-08-28) (aged 25) Solomon Islands
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1941–1942
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Unit	VMSB-232
Battles/wars	World War II *Guadalcanal campaign
Awards	Silver Star (posthumous)

Oliver Mitchell was born March 14, 1917 at Los Angeles, California. He was the son of Nicholas D. Mitchell and Margaret Ruth Green of Los Angeles. He was an aviator in the United States Marine Corps who was killed in action during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. He would later have a United States Navy destroyer named in his honor.

Marine Corps career

Mitchell enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on May 23, 1941 and was appointed Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Naval Reserve September 3, 1941. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Reserves on March 14, 1942, was assigned to combat duty in the Solomons the following July.

Awarded the Silver Star

He was killed in action while engaging Japanese destroyers off Ramos Island, August 28, 1942. Lieutenant Mitchell was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for:

“Conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a pilot while pressing home his attack in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft fire. His aggressive fighting spirit and heroic devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Namesake

USS Oliver Mitchell (DE–417) was named in his honor. She was laid down January 3, 1944 by the Brown Shipbuilding Company, Houston, Texas; launched February 8, 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Margaret R. Mitchell, mother of 2nd Lt. Oliver Mitchell; and commissioned June 14, 1944, with Lieutenant Commander Kenneth J. Barclay in command.

See also

	Biography portal
	World War II portal
	United States Marine Corps portal

• Cactus Air Force
• United States Marine Corps Aviation
• Naval Aviation

References

This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• Oliver Mitchell

Persondata
Name	Mitchell, Oliver
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	March 14, 1917
Place of birth	Los Angeles, California
Date of death	August 28, 1942
Place of death	Solomon Islands