Iowa
PFC Co B. 2 Ranger INF. BN.
World War II BSM-PH
The following bio was sent by fg#48842935:
MONTROSE- On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. 1944, the family of Pvt. Gilbert Dean Mitchell prayed for his safe return. Little did they know that he had been killed the day before by a piece of shrapnel from an enemy shell.
Even though it took about three weeks for the news to reach the family in Montrose, it took only a few hours for the word to spread throughout the small town.
As the family came together at the home of his parents, many in the community gathered on the lawn to show their support.
As an individual, Mitchell sacrificed his life for his country and his family at home. In a letter to Robert Knobbs, a hometown friend, he wrote. "Us boys think that it is worth it, for our folks and family and loved ones are afe at home. Enjoy life at home cause this Army is no picnic."
About a month before his death, he sent a letter to Jim Dye, janitor at the Montrose School. In it he wrote "Thanks for the great letters you have written to me. They really mean a lot, as you know."
Yes, Dye knew- he had served in World War I. His family has several letters sent to him by Montrose students turned soldiers. He was a friend to all of them.
The family has many fond memories of Mitchell. Two of his sisters, Maxine Marshall and Joan Jordon, both of Keokuk, tell of him taking care of them and a brother while their mother was in the hospital giving birth to twin girls. Janet and Joyce. He made sure the house was put "in order" each day before they left for school. They sat he was very quiet at home, although classmates said he was the opposite at school.
Mitchell had a paper route, and the families he delivered
papers to weren't just customers, they also were his friends. An aunt, Olive Megchelsen, recalls that the day his twin sisters were born, her nephew knocked on each door along his route to give them the good news. This paper route helped him to become well known by all the families in town.
On the day Mitchell was to leave for the Ar y, he and his family gathered at the Grand Theatre in Keokuk along with the families of many other young men. As the men boarded the buses, each family gathered beneath the bus window where their loved one was seated. Last minute good-byes, blown kisses and waves were exchanged.
Then the buses pulled out, and they were gone.
In addition to his family, Mitchell left behind his dog, Trixie, who outlived him many years- a constant reminder of the son and brother who no longer was with them.
After initial training, Mitchell volunteered for the Rangers. With the onset if the war, Ranger battalions had been formed and were to have the same specialized training as British Commandos in guerrilla warfare.
The training of these new men fell on Maj. Gen. Lucian Truscott, who felt this new unit deserved a name different from that of the British "commandos". He chose "Rangers" after the infamous Roger's Rangers of the French and Indian War in 1756. Roger's Rangers were skilled frontiersmen and excellent marksmen.
The new Rangers soon gained the same reputation. Mitchell knew of the increased danger and the rigorous physical training, which would follow when he volunteered for this elite group.
Of the second Rangers forces that participated in the D-Day assault, 77 were killed, 38 reported missing in action and 152 wounded. Reinforcements were received in June, including Mitchell and Perry Watson. The two soon became fast friends.
The unit moved into the Hurtgen Forest in Germany on Nov. 14. A Combat History Of the B Company of the 2nd U.S. Ranger BN relates the happenings of Nov. 22: "Just at daybreak the first enemy shells began to fall. The second platoon drew back into the first platoon area, and everyone started to dig in. A lot of former Jerry foxholes were utilized by the men after a thorough checking for mines and booby traps. The enemy gave our positions a terrific pounding with 88s, 105s, and 150s all during the day. The mortar section that had been in the rear returned, and PFC.
Mitchell was instantly killed by a piece of shrapnel that hit him in the head."
The history continues, from Nov. 23: "Jerry artillery stipped after dark, and word came down that we should get our gear together, and be ready to move out. Able company of our battalion arrived at 2000 to relieve us. Except for a few minutes of standing outside of our holes, which seemed like hours, we were on our way out of the woods. The men took turns carrying Mitchell's and Bryant's (another Ranger who had been killed) bodies out of the woods on a litter. It was a tough job in the dark for the tired men. At any minute we expected artillery to open up on us. We reached K company's C.P. and deposited the two bodies there to be picked up later by the Medics.
The removal of the bodies was made even more difficult due to uprooted trees and shell holes.
"On the morning of Nov 24th," the history continues,"the company moved back to the battalion rest area. It was a dirty, tired and bedraggled bunch of boys who dropped their equipment next to the already prepared log shelters. Boys from other companies in the battalion came around looking for some of their buddies. We could read the mutual sympathy in their faces. We had our Thanksgiving Day turkey for chow. It was really a day of thanksgiving."
Mitchell and Watson, who were in a fox hole together, had made a pact. If one survived and the other didn"t, the survivor would go visit the parents of the one who had died.
Watson stood true to his word, coming and spending several days with the Mitchell family. This helped in the healing process. However, closure wasn't fully realized until 1947 when Mitchell's body was finally returned to the U.S. and brought back to Montrose for burial.
PFC Co B. 2 Ranger INF. BN.
World War II BSM-PH
The following bio was sent by fg#48842935:
MONTROSE- On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. 1944, the family of Pvt. Gilbert Dean Mitchell prayed for his safe return. Little did they know that he had been killed the day before by a piece of shrapnel from an enemy shell.
Even though it took about three weeks for the news to reach the family in Montrose, it took only a few hours for the word to spread throughout the small town.
As the family came together at the home of his parents, many in the community gathered on the lawn to show their support.
As an individual, Mitchell sacrificed his life for his country and his family at home. In a letter to Robert Knobbs, a hometown friend, he wrote. "Us boys think that it is worth it, for our folks and family and loved ones are afe at home. Enjoy life at home cause this Army is no picnic."
About a month before his death, he sent a letter to Jim Dye, janitor at the Montrose School. In it he wrote "Thanks for the great letters you have written to me. They really mean a lot, as you know."
Yes, Dye knew- he had served in World War I. His family has several letters sent to him by Montrose students turned soldiers. He was a friend to all of them.
The family has many fond memories of Mitchell. Two of his sisters, Maxine Marshall and Joan Jordon, both of Keokuk, tell of him taking care of them and a brother while their mother was in the hospital giving birth to twin girls. Janet and Joyce. He made sure the house was put "in order" each day before they left for school. They sat he was very quiet at home, although classmates said he was the opposite at school.
Mitchell had a paper route, and the families he delivered
papers to weren't just customers, they also were his friends. An aunt, Olive Megchelsen, recalls that the day his twin sisters were born, her nephew knocked on each door along his route to give them the good news. This paper route helped him to become well known by all the families in town.
On the day Mitchell was to leave for the Ar y, he and his family gathered at the Grand Theatre in Keokuk along with the families of many other young men. As the men boarded the buses, each family gathered beneath the bus window where their loved one was seated. Last minute good-byes, blown kisses and waves were exchanged.
Then the buses pulled out, and they were gone.
In addition to his family, Mitchell left behind his dog, Trixie, who outlived him many years- a constant reminder of the son and brother who no longer was with them.
After initial training, Mitchell volunteered for the Rangers. With the onset if the war, Ranger battalions had been formed and were to have the same specialized training as British Commandos in guerrilla warfare.
The training of these new men fell on Maj. Gen. Lucian Truscott, who felt this new unit deserved a name different from that of the British "commandos". He chose "Rangers" after the infamous Roger's Rangers of the French and Indian War in 1756. Roger's Rangers were skilled frontiersmen and excellent marksmen.
The new Rangers soon gained the same reputation. Mitchell knew of the increased danger and the rigorous physical training, which would follow when he volunteered for this elite group.
Of the second Rangers forces that participated in the D-Day assault, 77 were killed, 38 reported missing in action and 152 wounded. Reinforcements were received in June, including Mitchell and Perry Watson. The two soon became fast friends.
The unit moved into the Hurtgen Forest in Germany on Nov. 14. A Combat History Of the B Company of the 2nd U.S. Ranger BN relates the happenings of Nov. 22: "Just at daybreak the first enemy shells began to fall. The second platoon drew back into the first platoon area, and everyone started to dig in. A lot of former Jerry foxholes were utilized by the men after a thorough checking for mines and booby traps. The enemy gave our positions a terrific pounding with 88s, 105s, and 150s all during the day. The mortar section that had been in the rear returned, and PFC.
Mitchell was instantly killed by a piece of shrapnel that hit him in the head."
The history continues, from Nov. 23: "Jerry artillery stipped after dark, and word came down that we should get our gear together, and be ready to move out. Able company of our battalion arrived at 2000 to relieve us. Except for a few minutes of standing outside of our holes, which seemed like hours, we were on our way out of the woods. The men took turns carrying Mitchell's and Bryant's (another Ranger who had been killed) bodies out of the woods on a litter. It was a tough job in the dark for the tired men. At any minute we expected artillery to open up on us. We reached K company's C.P. and deposited the two bodies there to be picked up later by the Medics.
The removal of the bodies was made even more difficult due to uprooted trees and shell holes.
"On the morning of Nov 24th," the history continues,"the company moved back to the battalion rest area. It was a dirty, tired and bedraggled bunch of boys who dropped their equipment next to the already prepared log shelters. Boys from other companies in the battalion came around looking for some of their buddies. We could read the mutual sympathy in their faces. We had our Thanksgiving Day turkey for chow. It was really a day of thanksgiving."
Mitchell and Watson, who were in a fox hole together, had made a pact. If one survived and the other didn"t, the survivor would go visit the parents of the one who had died.
Watson stood true to his word, coming and spending several days with the Mitchell family. This helped in the healing process. However, closure wasn't fully realized until 1947 when Mitchell's body was finally returned to the U.S. and brought back to Montrose for burial.
Iowa
PFC Co B. 2 Ranger INF. BN.
World War II BSM-PH
The following bio was sent by fg#48842935:
MONTROSE- On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. 1944, the family of Pvt. Gilbert Dean Mitchell prayed for his safe return. Little did they know that he had been killed the day before by a piece of shrapnel from an enemy shell.
Even though it took about three weeks for the news to reach the family in Montrose, it took only a few hours for the word to spread throughout the small town.
As the family came together at the home of his parents, many in the community gathered on the lawn to show their support.
As an individual, Mitchell sacrificed his life for his country and his family at home. In a letter to Robert Knobbs, a hometown friend, he wrote. "Us boys think that it is worth it, for our folks and family and loved ones are afe at home. Enjoy life at home cause this Army is no picnic."
About a month before his death, he sent a letter to Jim Dye, janitor at the Montrose School. In it he wrote "Thanks for the great letters you have written to me. They really mean a lot, as you know."
Yes, Dye knew- he had served in World War I. His family has several letters sent to him by Montrose students turned soldiers. He was a friend to all of them.
The family has many fond memories of Mitchell. Two of his sisters, Maxine Marshall and Joan Jordon, both of Keokuk, tell of him taking care of them and a brother while their mother was in the hospital giving birth to twin girls. Janet and Joyce. He made sure the house was put "in order" each day before they left for school. They sat he was very quiet at home, although classmates said he was the opposite at school.
Mitchell had a paper route, and the families he delivered
papers to weren't just customers, they also were his friends. An aunt, Olive Megchelsen, recalls that the day his twin sisters were born, her nephew knocked on each door along his route to give them the good news. This paper route helped him to become well known by all the families in town.
On the day Mitchell was to leave for the Ar y, he and his family gathered at the Grand Theatre in Keokuk along with the families of many other young men. As the men boarded the buses, each family gathered beneath the bus window where their loved one was seated. Last minute good-byes, blown kisses and waves were exchanged.
Then the buses pulled out, and they were gone.
In addition to his family, Mitchell left behind his dog, Trixie, who outlived him many years- a constant reminder of the son and brother who no longer was with them.
After initial training, Mitchell volunteered for the Rangers. With the onset if the war, Ranger battalions had been formed and were to have the same specialized training as British Commandos in guerrilla warfare.
The training of these new men fell on Maj. Gen. Lucian Truscott, who felt this new unit deserved a name different from that of the British "commandos". He chose "Rangers" after the infamous Roger's Rangers of the French and Indian War in 1756. Roger's Rangers were skilled frontiersmen and excellent marksmen.
The new Rangers soon gained the same reputation. Mitchell knew of the increased danger and the rigorous physical training, which would follow when he volunteered for this elite group.
Of the second Rangers forces that participated in the D-Day assault, 77 were killed, 38 reported missing in action and 152 wounded. Reinforcements were received in June, including Mitchell and Perry Watson. The two soon became fast friends.
The unit moved into the Hurtgen Forest in Germany on Nov. 14. A Combat History Of the B Company of the 2nd U.S. Ranger BN relates the happenings of Nov. 22: "Just at daybreak the first enemy shells began to fall. The second platoon drew back into the first platoon area, and everyone started to dig in. A lot of former Jerry foxholes were utilized by the men after a thorough checking for mines and booby traps. The enemy gave our positions a terrific pounding with 88s, 105s, and 150s all during the day. The mortar section that had been in the rear returned, and PFC.
Mitchell was instantly killed by a piece of shrapnel that hit him in the head."
The history continues, from Nov. 23: "Jerry artillery stipped after dark, and word came down that we should get our gear together, and be ready to move out. Able company of our battalion arrived at 2000 to relieve us. Except for a few minutes of standing outside of our holes, which seemed like hours, we were on our way out of the woods. The men took turns carrying Mitchell's and Bryant's (another Ranger who had been killed) bodies out of the woods on a litter. It was a tough job in the dark for the tired men. At any minute we expected artillery to open up on us. We reached K company's C.P. and deposited the two bodies there to be picked up later by the Medics.
The removal of the bodies was made even more difficult due to uprooted trees and shell holes.
"On the morning of Nov 24th," the history continues,"the company moved back to the battalion rest area. It was a dirty, tired and bedraggled bunch of boys who dropped their equipment next to the already prepared log shelters. Boys from other companies in the battalion came around looking for some of their buddies. We could read the mutual sympathy in their faces. We had our Thanksgiving Day turkey for chow. It was really a day of thanksgiving."
Mitchell and Watson, who were in a fox hole together, had made a pact. If one survived and the other didn"t, the survivor would go visit the parents of the one who had died.
Watson stood true to his word, coming and spending several days with the Mitchell family. This helped in the healing process. However, closure wasn't fully realized until 1947 when Mitchell's body was finally returned to the U.S. and brought back to Montrose for burial.
PFC Co B. 2 Ranger INF. BN.
World War II BSM-PH
The following bio was sent by fg#48842935:
MONTROSE- On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. 1944, the family of Pvt. Gilbert Dean Mitchell prayed for his safe return. Little did they know that he had been killed the day before by a piece of shrapnel from an enemy shell.
Even though it took about three weeks for the news to reach the family in Montrose, it took only a few hours for the word to spread throughout the small town.
As the family came together at the home of his parents, many in the community gathered on the lawn to show their support.
As an individual, Mitchell sacrificed his life for his country and his family at home. In a letter to Robert Knobbs, a hometown friend, he wrote. "Us boys think that it is worth it, for our folks and family and loved ones are afe at home. Enjoy life at home cause this Army is no picnic."
About a month before his death, he sent a letter to Jim Dye, janitor at the Montrose School. In it he wrote "Thanks for the great letters you have written to me. They really mean a lot, as you know."
Yes, Dye knew- he had served in World War I. His family has several letters sent to him by Montrose students turned soldiers. He was a friend to all of them.
The family has many fond memories of Mitchell. Two of his sisters, Maxine Marshall and Joan Jordon, both of Keokuk, tell of him taking care of them and a brother while their mother was in the hospital giving birth to twin girls. Janet and Joyce. He made sure the house was put "in order" each day before they left for school. They sat he was very quiet at home, although classmates said he was the opposite at school.
Mitchell had a paper route, and the families he delivered
papers to weren't just customers, they also were his friends. An aunt, Olive Megchelsen, recalls that the day his twin sisters were born, her nephew knocked on each door along his route to give them the good news. This paper route helped him to become well known by all the families in town.
On the day Mitchell was to leave for the Ar y, he and his family gathered at the Grand Theatre in Keokuk along with the families of many other young men. As the men boarded the buses, each family gathered beneath the bus window where their loved one was seated. Last minute good-byes, blown kisses and waves were exchanged.
Then the buses pulled out, and they were gone.
In addition to his family, Mitchell left behind his dog, Trixie, who outlived him many years- a constant reminder of the son and brother who no longer was with them.
After initial training, Mitchell volunteered for the Rangers. With the onset if the war, Ranger battalions had been formed and were to have the same specialized training as British Commandos in guerrilla warfare.
The training of these new men fell on Maj. Gen. Lucian Truscott, who felt this new unit deserved a name different from that of the British "commandos". He chose "Rangers" after the infamous Roger's Rangers of the French and Indian War in 1756. Roger's Rangers were skilled frontiersmen and excellent marksmen.
The new Rangers soon gained the same reputation. Mitchell knew of the increased danger and the rigorous physical training, which would follow when he volunteered for this elite group.
Of the second Rangers forces that participated in the D-Day assault, 77 were killed, 38 reported missing in action and 152 wounded. Reinforcements were received in June, including Mitchell and Perry Watson. The two soon became fast friends.
The unit moved into the Hurtgen Forest in Germany on Nov. 14. A Combat History Of the B Company of the 2nd U.S. Ranger BN relates the happenings of Nov. 22: "Just at daybreak the first enemy shells began to fall. The second platoon drew back into the first platoon area, and everyone started to dig in. A lot of former Jerry foxholes were utilized by the men after a thorough checking for mines and booby traps. The enemy gave our positions a terrific pounding with 88s, 105s, and 150s all during the day. The mortar section that had been in the rear returned, and PFC.
Mitchell was instantly killed by a piece of shrapnel that hit him in the head."
The history continues, from Nov. 23: "Jerry artillery stipped after dark, and word came down that we should get our gear together, and be ready to move out. Able company of our battalion arrived at 2000 to relieve us. Except for a few minutes of standing outside of our holes, which seemed like hours, we were on our way out of the woods. The men took turns carrying Mitchell's and Bryant's (another Ranger who had been killed) bodies out of the woods on a litter. It was a tough job in the dark for the tired men. At any minute we expected artillery to open up on us. We reached K company's C.P. and deposited the two bodies there to be picked up later by the Medics.
The removal of the bodies was made even more difficult due to uprooted trees and shell holes.
"On the morning of Nov 24th," the history continues,"the company moved back to the battalion rest area. It was a dirty, tired and bedraggled bunch of boys who dropped their equipment next to the already prepared log shelters. Boys from other companies in the battalion came around looking for some of their buddies. We could read the mutual sympathy in their faces. We had our Thanksgiving Day turkey for chow. It was really a day of thanksgiving."
Mitchell and Watson, who were in a fox hole together, had made a pact. If one survived and the other didn"t, the survivor would go visit the parents of the one who had died.
Watson stood true to his word, coming and spending several days with the Mitchell family. This helped in the healing process. However, closure wasn't fully realized until 1947 when Mitchell's body was finally returned to the U.S. and brought back to Montrose for burial.
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PFC, 2 RANGER BN WORLD WAR II
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