Doug Mitchell
Bio
Douglas Mitchell aimed to attend the U.S. Forest Service’s Smoke Jumper school after high school, but his parents firmly opposed his plan. Determined to see the world, he enlisted in the Army and headed to Airborne School at Fort Hood, a choice that also worried his family. As an Infantry Weapons Specialist, he mastered the 3.2 mm rocket launcher and .30 caliber machine gun, training KATUS (Korean Augmentation to the United States Army) soldiers to fight alongside him. He vividly recalls the hardships and destruction of war, memories he still carries today. Despite the challenges, he proudly embraced the chance to serve his country during the Korean War.
Video Clips
Early Contact with North Koreans
Doug Mitchell recalls landing near Inchon and quickly entering the combat zone. He describes the challenging living conditions and his front-line duties. He details one day when members of his unit spotted a North Korean soldier approaching. Instead of firing, they watched as the soldier raised his hands in surrender. U.S. soldiers behind the lines then took the North Korean prisoner into custody.
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First experiences with death
Doug Mitchell recalls a particularly dark night on duty as a machine gunner, where the lack of light and glare from glass sights made visibility nearly impossible. As a tank approached, his team shouted for identification, warning they would fire if no one responded. A lieutenant stepped forward, confirming his identity, but moments later, a mortar struck; Mitchell managed to reach safety, but the lieutenant was killed instantly. He tearfully remembers that night and shares that the hardest moment he faced was the first time he had to use his bayonet.
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3 Dreadful Components of the Korean War
Doug Mitchell recalls three things he hated most about war: night patrols, crawling to knock out enemy machine guns, and the relentless stress that haunted soldiers in their dreams. He describes the terror of crawling toward an enemy machine gun, knowing his own men were firing over him while he inched close enough to throw a grenade—hoping all the while that no rifleman would spot him. Bayonet fights were another dreadful experience, and he believes no one should have to endure such brutal combat.
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No Real Desire to Go Back
Doug Mitchell admits he has little desire to return to Korea, though he jokes it might be nice to see the country with paved roads—a luxury missing during his time there. He holds a deep fondness for the Korean people. He recalls being ordered back to Fort Hood for an upcoming deployment and shares he would have volunteered for Korea even if he hadn’t been assigned there.
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Reflections of a Returned Soldier
Doug Mitchell admits he was glad he had the opportunity to serve in Korea. He notes often he fought alternating thoughts of feeling proud to have served humanity and the Korean people and others which question the choice he made to serve. He reflects back on the challenges he's faced since returning including nightmares and disrupted sleep.
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