thedrifter
08-05-06, 01:43 PM
A Warrior’s Dedication
Fifteenth in a Series
By Matthew Dodd
"Seeing all you, I love each and every one of you…It's all about them. The brotherhood. The bond."
Warrior and former Sergeant of Marines, Robert J. Mitchell, Jr., spoke those heart-felt words to his former buddies from his former infantry battalion moments after he received the Navy Cross, the Nation’s second-highest medal for valor, at a solemn July 28, 2006 ceremony on his former battalion’s parade ground at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Ca. Let me share with you the battlefield exploits of the Marine Corps’ latest Navy Cross hero as described in his citation:
“For extraordinary heroism while serving as Squad Leader, Company K, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004.”
If that standard introductory sentence sounds strangely familiar, the reason is because it is nearly identical to the opening sentence of then - 1stSgt Bradley A. Kasal’s Navy Cross citation. The only differences are the billet and the company, for both heroes fought side-by-side in one of the most intense engagements in the memorable battle for Fallujah. The citation set the stage for the heroics of then-Corporal Mitchell:
“During a ferocious firefight with six insurgents fighting inside a heavily fortified house, Corporal Mitchell courageously attacked the enemy strongpoint to rescue five wounded Marines trapped inside the house.”
According to accounts of the actions leading up to and during this rescue, Mitchell was wounded just the day before when he was shot through the right triceps during an assault that destroyed an insurgent strongpoint. He refused medical evacuation to remain with his squad. His refusal of medical care to continue to lead his Marines was a fore-shadowing of things to come.
One Camp Pendleton story quoted Mitchell about the mission he received on Nov. 13: “When the call came, we knew we had to get them out,” said Mitchell. “That became the mission – the only mission.”” In earlier articles in this Navy Cross Heroes series, I have described the mandate that Marines do not leave Marines behind. To Mitchell and his Marines, hearing that Marines were trapped and in imminent danger was all they needed to know.
An article in the July 29, 2006 Orange County Register included a quote from Mitchell that described what that mandate meant to him:
“You know that guy on the other side of the wall. You can’t see him. You can hear him scream. And you know he’s there, and you assume the worst. I guess it’s just human nature – you just want to make the wrong right. It doesn’t really matter what happens as long as that guy is all right.”
It was at this point when Kasal joined Mitchell’s squad in response to the same mandate. As a seasoned and much senior combat veteran, Kasal could have easily “taken over” or “led” Kasal’s squad himself, and probably nobody would have questioned his actions. The fact that Kasal subordinated himself to Cpl Mitchell speaks volumes about Mitchell’s combat leadership reputation.
What exactly was Mitchell’s squad facing in this time-sensitive rescue mission? According to one account I read, “Insurgents had learned not to fight Marines in the open, preferring to barricade themselves inside a home, keeping their weapons aimed at the door and waiting for the Marines to break through.” Add to that tactic the insurgents’ first-hand experiences being on the receiving end of the Marines’ mandate, and it is clear that the insurgents knew the Marines would be coming to rescue their trapped fellow Marines. For those reasons, and no doubt others, the Marines dubbed that building, “Hell House.” For Mitchell and his Marines, the hell started with a charge through heavy small arms fire and grenades just to reach the house. The citation continued…
“Locating the enemy positions and completely disregarding his own safety, he gallantly charged through enemy AK-47 fire and hand grenades, in order to assist a critically wounded Marine in an isolated room. Ignoring his own wounds, he began the immediate first aid treatment of the Marine’s severely wounded leg. Assessing that the Marine needed immediate intravenous fluids to survive, he suppressed the enemy, enabling a Corpsman to cross the impact zone. Once the Corpsman arrived, he moved to the next room to assist other casualties. While running across the impact zone a second time, he was hit in the left leg with a ricochet off of his weapon and with grenade shrapnel to the legs and face.”
Once inside the house, littered with dead and dying insurgents, Mitchell and his Marines quickly assessed the situation and discovered another hellish scenario: “Other enemy fighters were in fortified positions on the roof looking down through a skylight, creating a kill zone between Mitchell and the wounded Marines.” To get to the wounded Marines, Mitchell added grenade shrapnel in his legs to the previous day’s gunshot wound to his arm. Once again, he ignored his wounds to take care of others.
Using his combat lifesaver training, Mitchell knew what the wounded Marines needed, a corpsman with intravenous fluids. He also knew what the corpsman needed, suppression of the insurgents controlling the hellish kill zone. Exercising his leadership, Mitchell coordinated suppression to allow the corpsman to get to the wounded Marine.
Knowing other Marines under his charge had been injured on the other side of the kill zone, Mitchell ran through the hail of bullets and grenades a second time. A ricocheted bullet to his left leg and more grenade shrapnel to his legs and face were added to his growing list of wounds. Still, Cpl Mitchell never lost focus on his mission and the Marine mandate, as the citation described…
“While applying first aid, he noticed a wounded insurgent reach for his weapon. With his rifle inoperable, he drew his combat knife, stabbed the insurgent, and eliminated him instantly. Demonstrating great presence of mind, he then coordinated the casualties’ evacuation. Limping from his own wounds, Corporal Mitchell assisted in the evacuation of the last casualty through the impact zone under enemy fire, ultimately saving the lives of multiple Marines.”
According to other accounts, the situation inside “Hell House” was deteriorating, beyond Mitchell’s combat-knifed insurgent. Communicating through a small, barred window, Mitchell detailed the locations of Marines and insurgents to Marines outside the house. Armed with their leader’s clear and accurate situational awareness, the Marines outside the house took up positions to suppress the roof-top-fortified insurgents long enough to evacuate all the wounded Marines. Once all the wounded were clear of “Hell House,” demolition charges were thrown inside, and the explosion reduced the building and its insurgents to a heavenly pile of rubble.
The citation concluded:
“By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Mitchell reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”
Less than two weeks after Cpl Mitchell’s heroic rescue efforts, his multiple woundings (including those from a mortar attack in July 2004) and immeasurable contributions to his Marines and his unit, led to Mitchell being ordered to leave the combat zone. According to a Camp Pendleton article:
“In a November 2004 interview with a Marine combat correspondent, Mitchell voiced his concerns about being ordered to leave Iraq, but was resigned to his fate. "Being told by my [commanding officer], sergeant major, platoon commander and all my buddies that I have done enough – that helps to ease my thoughts," said Mitchell. "It is supportive, but at the same time, I came out here to lead a squad and finish the job."”
Examples of Cpl Mitchell’s words, actions, and decisions provide invaluable life and leadership lessons that are worthy of serious reflection:
Ignoring multiple wounds and obstacles to remain with his Marines
“We knew we had to get them out…you just want to make the wrong right….”
A senior leader voluntarily joining Mitchell’s squad for a dangerous mission
Leading by example into certain peril to rescue trapped Marines
Giving first aid to wounded Marines, and knowing when they needed more
Remaining calm under duress to effectively communicate critical information
Reluctantly accepting orders to leave the combat zone – with seniors’, peers’, and subordinates’ approval and encouragement
“I came out here to lead a squad and finish the job.”
I believe the Scottish novelist, poet, and historian, Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), had in mind someone like Navy Cross hero Corporal Robert J. Mitchell, Jr. when he wrote, “It is wonderful what strength of purpose and boldness and energy of will are roused by the assurance that we are doing our duty.”
Ellie
Fifteenth in a Series
By Matthew Dodd
"Seeing all you, I love each and every one of you…It's all about them. The brotherhood. The bond."
Warrior and former Sergeant of Marines, Robert J. Mitchell, Jr., spoke those heart-felt words to his former buddies from his former infantry battalion moments after he received the Navy Cross, the Nation’s second-highest medal for valor, at a solemn July 28, 2006 ceremony on his former battalion’s parade ground at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Ca. Let me share with you the battlefield exploits of the Marine Corps’ latest Navy Cross hero as described in his citation:
“For extraordinary heroism while serving as Squad Leader, Company K, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004.”
If that standard introductory sentence sounds strangely familiar, the reason is because it is nearly identical to the opening sentence of then - 1stSgt Bradley A. Kasal’s Navy Cross citation. The only differences are the billet and the company, for both heroes fought side-by-side in one of the most intense engagements in the memorable battle for Fallujah. The citation set the stage for the heroics of then-Corporal Mitchell:
“During a ferocious firefight with six insurgents fighting inside a heavily fortified house, Corporal Mitchell courageously attacked the enemy strongpoint to rescue five wounded Marines trapped inside the house.”
According to accounts of the actions leading up to and during this rescue, Mitchell was wounded just the day before when he was shot through the right triceps during an assault that destroyed an insurgent strongpoint. He refused medical evacuation to remain with his squad. His refusal of medical care to continue to lead his Marines was a fore-shadowing of things to come.
One Camp Pendleton story quoted Mitchell about the mission he received on Nov. 13: “When the call came, we knew we had to get them out,” said Mitchell. “That became the mission – the only mission.”” In earlier articles in this Navy Cross Heroes series, I have described the mandate that Marines do not leave Marines behind. To Mitchell and his Marines, hearing that Marines were trapped and in imminent danger was all they needed to know.
An article in the July 29, 2006 Orange County Register included a quote from Mitchell that described what that mandate meant to him:
“You know that guy on the other side of the wall. You can’t see him. You can hear him scream. And you know he’s there, and you assume the worst. I guess it’s just human nature – you just want to make the wrong right. It doesn’t really matter what happens as long as that guy is all right.”
It was at this point when Kasal joined Mitchell’s squad in response to the same mandate. As a seasoned and much senior combat veteran, Kasal could have easily “taken over” or “led” Kasal’s squad himself, and probably nobody would have questioned his actions. The fact that Kasal subordinated himself to Cpl Mitchell speaks volumes about Mitchell’s combat leadership reputation.
What exactly was Mitchell’s squad facing in this time-sensitive rescue mission? According to one account I read, “Insurgents had learned not to fight Marines in the open, preferring to barricade themselves inside a home, keeping their weapons aimed at the door and waiting for the Marines to break through.” Add to that tactic the insurgents’ first-hand experiences being on the receiving end of the Marines’ mandate, and it is clear that the insurgents knew the Marines would be coming to rescue their trapped fellow Marines. For those reasons, and no doubt others, the Marines dubbed that building, “Hell House.” For Mitchell and his Marines, the hell started with a charge through heavy small arms fire and grenades just to reach the house. The citation continued…
“Locating the enemy positions and completely disregarding his own safety, he gallantly charged through enemy AK-47 fire and hand grenades, in order to assist a critically wounded Marine in an isolated room. Ignoring his own wounds, he began the immediate first aid treatment of the Marine’s severely wounded leg. Assessing that the Marine needed immediate intravenous fluids to survive, he suppressed the enemy, enabling a Corpsman to cross the impact zone. Once the Corpsman arrived, he moved to the next room to assist other casualties. While running across the impact zone a second time, he was hit in the left leg with a ricochet off of his weapon and with grenade shrapnel to the legs and face.”
Once inside the house, littered with dead and dying insurgents, Mitchell and his Marines quickly assessed the situation and discovered another hellish scenario: “Other enemy fighters were in fortified positions on the roof looking down through a skylight, creating a kill zone between Mitchell and the wounded Marines.” To get to the wounded Marines, Mitchell added grenade shrapnel in his legs to the previous day’s gunshot wound to his arm. Once again, he ignored his wounds to take care of others.
Using his combat lifesaver training, Mitchell knew what the wounded Marines needed, a corpsman with intravenous fluids. He also knew what the corpsman needed, suppression of the insurgents controlling the hellish kill zone. Exercising his leadership, Mitchell coordinated suppression to allow the corpsman to get to the wounded Marine.
Knowing other Marines under his charge had been injured on the other side of the kill zone, Mitchell ran through the hail of bullets and grenades a second time. A ricocheted bullet to his left leg and more grenade shrapnel to his legs and face were added to his growing list of wounds. Still, Cpl Mitchell never lost focus on his mission and the Marine mandate, as the citation described…
“While applying first aid, he noticed a wounded insurgent reach for his weapon. With his rifle inoperable, he drew his combat knife, stabbed the insurgent, and eliminated him instantly. Demonstrating great presence of mind, he then coordinated the casualties’ evacuation. Limping from his own wounds, Corporal Mitchell assisted in the evacuation of the last casualty through the impact zone under enemy fire, ultimately saving the lives of multiple Marines.”
According to other accounts, the situation inside “Hell House” was deteriorating, beyond Mitchell’s combat-knifed insurgent. Communicating through a small, barred window, Mitchell detailed the locations of Marines and insurgents to Marines outside the house. Armed with their leader’s clear and accurate situational awareness, the Marines outside the house took up positions to suppress the roof-top-fortified insurgents long enough to evacuate all the wounded Marines. Once all the wounded were clear of “Hell House,” demolition charges were thrown inside, and the explosion reduced the building and its insurgents to a heavenly pile of rubble.
The citation concluded:
“By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Mitchell reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”
Less than two weeks after Cpl Mitchell’s heroic rescue efforts, his multiple woundings (including those from a mortar attack in July 2004) and immeasurable contributions to his Marines and his unit, led to Mitchell being ordered to leave the combat zone. According to a Camp Pendleton article:
“In a November 2004 interview with a Marine combat correspondent, Mitchell voiced his concerns about being ordered to leave Iraq, but was resigned to his fate. "Being told by my [commanding officer], sergeant major, platoon commander and all my buddies that I have done enough – that helps to ease my thoughts," said Mitchell. "It is supportive, but at the same time, I came out here to lead a squad and finish the job."”
Examples of Cpl Mitchell’s words, actions, and decisions provide invaluable life and leadership lessons that are worthy of serious reflection:
Ignoring multiple wounds and obstacles to remain with his Marines
“We knew we had to get them out…you just want to make the wrong right….”
A senior leader voluntarily joining Mitchell’s squad for a dangerous mission
Leading by example into certain peril to rescue trapped Marines
Giving first aid to wounded Marines, and knowing when they needed more
Remaining calm under duress to effectively communicate critical information
Reluctantly accepting orders to leave the combat zone – with seniors’, peers’, and subordinates’ approval and encouragement
“I came out here to lead a squad and finish the job.”
I believe the Scottish novelist, poet, and historian, Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), had in mind someone like Navy Cross hero Corporal Robert J. Mitchell, Jr. when he wrote, “It is wonderful what strength of purpose and boldness and energy of will are roused by the assurance that we are doing our duty.”
Ellie