The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit (Army Award) to Major General Ralph Johnson Mitchell (MCSN: 0-673), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Northern Solomons Islands from 15 June to 10 November 1944. As Commander Aircraft of the Northern Solomons area, General Mitchell demonstrated notable initiative, marked tactical ability and outstanding leadership in skillfully coordinating the efforts of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Allied Combat aircraft. In operations against the enemy on Bougainville, New Britain, New Hanover, New Ireland, and in adjacent waters, he cooperated most effectively in furnishing close support to Allied land and naval forces. In addition to his primary mission of destroying enemy air power at Rabaul and Kavieng, he furnished superb air assistance in neutralizing hostile ground activity on Bougainville, attacking specific targets and initiating numerous strikes to cut off and annihilate enemy troops. It was through his careful planning and able leadership that these varied activities were successfully conducted by the forces at his command. General Mitchell contributed in marked degree to the isolation and neutralization of the last and most formidable enemy stronghold in the Solomons area.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Aircraft SquadronsRegiment:
2d Marine Brigade (Nicaragua)Action Date:
June 19, 1930
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Ralph Johnson Mitchell (MCSN: 0-673), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service while participating in an aerial flight as an aviator attacked to the Second Brigade USMC, operating in the Republic of Nicaragua. On the afternoon of 19 June 1930, Major Mitchell, while a pilot and in command of a six-plane patrol, encountered and attacked a large hostile force of bandits, under Sandino, a few miles north of Jinotoga, Nicaragua. Although on this day weather conditions were far from being ideal and in the face of a very hostile ground fire, Major Mitchell, with courage, skill and great personal risk, flying at a low altitude and over high mountains and perilous jungles, where a forces landing, even if accomplished, meant almost certain death at the hands of the bandits, led and maneuvered his patrol in such an efficient manner as to bring a concentrated attack for one hour and twenty minutes with machine guns and bombs upon the bandits, pinning them to the ground, inflicting many casualties upon the bandits and causing their rout under cover of darkness. As commander of the Aircraft Squadrons in Nicaragua and leader of the flight just cited, Major Mitchell displayed extraordinary ability, excellent judgment and inspired the greatest confidence in the officers and enlisted men under his command. His actions are considered to be deserving of the highest praise.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
Aircraft (Guadalcanal)Action Date:
November 20, 1943 – March 14, 1944
Commander Aircraft South Pacific Force: Serial 0221 (March 16, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Ralph Johnson Mitchell (MCSN: 0-673), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility while in Command of Aircraft, Solomon Islands, 20 November 1943 to 15 March 1944. Skillfully planning and executing the coordinated air strikes in crushing, offensive blows against the Japanese stronghold of Rabaul, New Britain Islands, Major General Mitchell reduced and finally eliminated effective enemy air opposition in that area, crippling hostile shipping to such an extent that the value of Rabaul as a supply port became negligible. His intrepid airmen neutralized enemy air facilities on Bougainville and harassed shipping and barge traffic in the Bougainville-Buka-Choiseul Area, seriously disrupting lines of supply to the entrapped Japanese. During the seizure of Green Island his forces gained complete mastery of the air, thus assisting our troops in occupying this island with a minimum of resistance. As a result of Major General Mitchell’s inspiring leadership and tireless devotion to duty, Allied surface ships operated unopposed and bombers carried out unescorted missions throughout the entire South Pacific Area. His indomitable fighting spirit was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
November 1944 – May 1945
War Department, General Orders No. 4 (1946)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Ralph Johnson Mitchell (MCSN: 0-673), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service from November 1944 to May 1945 in the highly responsible position of Commander, Aircraft Northern Solomons, Allied Air Forces. He welded together air organizations of the United States, Australia and New Zealand, overcoming their many differences in training, organization and equipment to produce a coordinated, devastating striking force which neutralized enemy bases in the Northern Solomons, New Britain and New Ireland. Despite the ever-changing composition of his command and difficult logistical problems, he maintained high morale and effectiveness, and accomplished smooth transitions without breaking the continuity of operations. By his outstanding leadership and superior organizing and administrative ability, General Mitchell made a significant contribution to the success of Allied Air offensives in the Southwest Pacific Area.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
May 27, 1941 – March 29, 1943
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General Ralph Johnson Mitchell (MCSN: 0-673), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of the Aviation Marine Corps Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, during the period from the declaration of the national emergency on 27 May 1941 to 29 March 1943. While serving in this capacity he achieved the expansion of this branch of the naval service in the period of its most urgent need. The successful planning and training of numerous units equipped for combat to meet the operating requirements of the naval service during a most critical period is, in large measure, attributed to his sound judgment and excellent direction which were consistently displayed. As a result he aided materially in the successful operations of the naval forces. His actions were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.