Frank Nicias Mitchell
First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

First Lieutenant Frank Nicias Mitchell (18 August 1921 - 26 November 1950) was a U.S. Marine officer who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Korean War.

Frank Nicias Mitchell was born on 18 August 1921 in Indian Gap, TX. He was a 1938 graduate of Roaring Springs High School.

Military Service

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1939 and, in World War II, he served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise 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 was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1945, after the war.

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.

Korean War

On 26 November 1950, First Lieutenant Mitchell was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. That day, near Hansan-ni, Korea, Mitchell provided fire cover to allow the withdrawal of wounded Marines, despite multiple wounds to himself. For this selfless action in which he sacrificed his own life, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.)

Place and date: Near Hansan-ni, Korea, 26 November 1950

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a rifle platoon of Company A, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Leading his platoon in point position during a patrol by his company through a thickly wooded and snow-covered area in the vicinity of Hansan-ni, 1st Lt. Mitchell acted immediately when the enemy suddenly opened fire at pointblank range, pinning down his forward elements and inflicting numerous casualties in his ranks. Boldly dashing to the front under blistering fire from automatic weapons and small arms, he seized an automatic rifle from one of the wounded men and effectively trained it against the attackers and, when his ammunition was expended, picked up and hurled grenades with deadly accuracy, at the same time directing and encouraging his men in driving the outnumbering enemy from his position. Maneuvering to set up a defense when the enemy furiously counterattacked to the front and left flank, 1st Lt. Mitchell, despite wounds sustained early in the action, reorganized his platoon under the devastating fire, and spearheaded a fierce hand-to-hand struggle to repulse the onslaught. Asking for volunteers to assist in searching for and evacuating the wounded, he personally led a party of litter bearers through the hostile lines in growing darkness and, although suffering intense pain from multiple wounds, stormed ahead and waged a single-handed battle against the enemy, successfully covering the withdrawal of his men before he was fatally struck down by a burst of small-arms fire. Stouthearted and indomitable in the face of tremendous odds, 1st Lt. Mitchell, by his fortitude, great personal valor and extraordinary heroism, saved the lives of several marines and inflicted heavy casualties among the aggressors. His unyielding courage throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

On 6 August 1952, the Medal of Honor was presented to the widow and daughter of First Lieutenant Frank Nicias Mitchell at their home in Atlanta, GA. Lieutenant Colonel Henry D. Strunk, the Acting Director of the 6th Marine Corps Reserve District, made the presentation.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"
Purple Heart with a Gold Star (2 Awards)
Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Bronze Stars
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with 1 Bar
American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
China Service Medal
Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
United Nations Service Medal

Honors

The following have been named in honor of 1stLt Mitchell:

• Roaring Spring, TX, has renamed the highway bypass surrounding the town and built a town park in his honor.

• The Marine Archives building in Washington, DC, is named in his honor.

• The Infantry Officers Course building at The Basic School in Quantico, VA, is named in his honor.

Death and Memorial

First Lieutenant Frank Nicias Mitchell was killed in action on 26 November 1950. Although his body was never recovered, a memorial marker was placed in his honor at the Roaring Springs Cemetery in Roaring Springs, Motley County, TX.