[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THOMAS LEE MITCHELL, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TODD C. YOUNG

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today we honor Thomas Lee 
Mitchell, Sr. for his service to his country and to his community.
  Mitchell served with the 27th Marines while in Vietnam from December 
1965 through December 1968. While in the employ of his country, 
Mitchell and his compatriots came under fire by North Vietnamese troops 
in the early morning of May 5, 1968.
  A firefight ensued and, after a barrage of North Vietnamese mortar 
rounds, an American weapons platoon tent became engulfed in flames. 
Mitchell stormed into the conflagration amid exploding ammunition and 
carried a badly wounded Marine, who was trapped in the tent, to safety.
  Later that same day, Mitchell's company was ordered to begin an 
assault on two villages. The platoon embarked on the mission and 
eventually encountered an open trench--which was riddled with North 
Vietnamese soldiers. North Vietnamese soldiers lobbed grenades at the 
American troops from the trench; in response, Mitchell and two of his 
fellow Marines fired their weapons into the trench, killing the entire 
line of North Vietnamese soldiers. With the trench cleared of enemy 
fire, the American platoon was able to proceed with the attack on the 
villages.
  Mitchell was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions. In addition, 
Mitchell also earned, among others, a Purple Heart, a Good Conduct 
Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbons, and a 
Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon.
  Mitchell coached little league baseball from 1975 until 1985. He is 
currently a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Charlestown and 
the VFW.
  It is a privilege to award Thomas Lee Mitchell with Congressional 
Commendation, and ensure his story is preserved for future generations.

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