Bob Mitchell
Bio
Bob Mitchell was born on the 20th of December 1930 in New York City. was a rambunctious young man who was destined for trouble. After dropping out of high school he joined the Marine Corps in January of 1951. He credits his experiences in the Marine Corps and front-line combat with shaping him into the man that he was able to become later in life. He attended basic training at Paris Island, South Carolina. After being trained as a machine gunner at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and serving in the Fleet Marine Force patrolling the Mediterranean Sea for 6 months, Bob Mitchell volunteered to go to Korea in the spring of 1952. During the Korean War he served in Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. In December of 1952 he was sent to the front lines where he would serve for the remainder of the Korean War until the Armistice.
Video Clips
When an Ambushing Force Gets Ambushed
Bob Mitchell recalls the 5th marines getting ambushed by an over-whelming Chinese force in the Battle of Hill 90. He recalls the sacrifice of a few brave Marines who gave their lives engaging Chinese head on.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhclZP9Tjas&start=913&end=1128
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/bob-mitchell#clip-1
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Living with the Guilt
Bob Mitchell talks about being sent to the rear on sick call, later learning his entire unit had been overwhelmed in an attack by the Chinese. Eventually Bob Mitchell says he reached the realization that it's just the reality of war - In combat death comes strictly by random.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhclZP9Tjas&start=1218&end=1370
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/bob-mitchell#clip-2
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The Reality of Trench Warfare
Bob Mitchell speaks about the living conditions of trench warfare in the latter stages of the Korean War. He describes dealing with giant rodents, the freezing conditions, and the body lice. Bob Mitchell recalls when they left the trench and got a hot shower.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhclZP9Tjas&start=1635&end=1782
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/bob-mitchell#clip-3
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C Rations
Bob Mitchell describes the food in combat and what the soldiers craved. He also speaks about the poverty and how soldiers set up orphanages for the children.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhclZP9Tjas&start=1860&end=1932
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/bob-mitchell#clip-4
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