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Laurence
Wells
Mitchell
, III
December 13, 1944

–

Home:

Los Angeles

, 

California

Laurence Mitchell graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1968. He retired in 1993 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    July 1978 – June 1981

    Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in awarding the Defense Superior Service Medal to Major Laurence Wells Mitchell, III, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as Assistant Air Liaison Officer, United States Defense Liaison Office, American Consulate General, Hong Kong, from July 1978 through June 1981. Major Mitchell directly participated in the growth of relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States, during the period of the inception of those relations. His extensive contacts and expertise developed in China, have provided much of the baseline information on the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. He has not only provided an outstanding example of Air Force professionalism to senior P:eople’s Republic of China officials, but he has also been instrumental in providing United States Officials at the highest levels with the military understanding required for the proper development of national security policy related to the People’s Republic of China. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Mitchell reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    21st Tactical Air Support Squadron

    Division:

    Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam

    Action Date:

    June 17, 1970
    U.S. Air Force Academy Southeast Asia Plaza of Heroes

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Laurence Wells Mitchell, III, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam, in action at Ba Kev, Cambodia, on 17 June 1970. Lieutenant Mitchell, assigned to the United States Army’s 5th Special Forces Group as a Forward Air Controller, was scrambled in support of this city which was being defended by a battalion-size force of Cambodian home guard and a Special Forces team, low on ammunition, and under attack by two regiments of North Vietnamese Regulars. When he arrived over the city he found it covered by a solid cloud layer extending to near ground level. Disregarding his own personal safety, Lieutenant Mitchell elected to descend beneath the low clouds, despite the darkness of night and the continuous barrage of antiaircraft fire, and dive-bomb flares to mark the hostile positions for the defenders. Maneuvering at very low altitudes, he continued to adjust mortar and artillery fire on the enemy positions, and coordinate the expenditure of gunfire and flare support from Air Force aircraft flying above the clouds. Because of his actions in effectively bringing to bear this firepower on the enemy, the attack on the city was thwarted and many friendly lives saved. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Mitchell has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    August 14, 1990 – June 30, 1993

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Laurence Wells Mitchell, III, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 645, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, from 14 August 1990 to 30 June 1993. During this period, Colonel Mitchell, through his vision, dedication, and drive to see his unit excel, led the detachment from the basic goal-setting and team-building phase to exceptional mission accomplishment. In recognition of the unit’s outstanding record of performance under colonel Mitchell’s command, the detachment received the Ohio Air Force Association Outstanding Detachment Award, the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps High Flight Award for the Ohio Valley Region, and the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Mitchell culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    307th Strategic Wing

    Division:

    U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 9, 1972

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Laurence Wells Mitchell, III, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Co–pilot, B-51 Aircraft, 307th Strategic Wing, U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand, in Southeast Asia, on 9 August 1972. On that date, Captain Mitchell flew in a cell of B-52’s targeted against a high priority target in North Vietnam. Despite direct attack from numerous heavy antiaircraft artillery positions and several aircraft equipment malfunctions, he was able to perform his duties and place the ordnance on target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Mitchell reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    21st Tactical Air Support Squadron

    Division:

    Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam

    Action Date:

    April 23, 1970

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Laurence Wells Mitchell, III, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Dak Pek Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam, on 23 April 1970. On that date, the Special Forces Camp at Dak Pek was under siege and in dire need of immediate re-supply. At great personal risk Lieutenant Mitchell flew low through the area to direct United States Air Force strike aircraft against hostile antiaircraft gun positions, while simultaneously coordinating the successful aerial re-supply of the beleaguered camp. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Mitchell reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    21st Tactical Air Support Squadron

    Division:

    Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam

    Action Date:

    May 1 – June 30, 1970

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Laurence Wells Mitchell, III, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia from 1 May 1970 to 30 June 1970. During this period, Lieutenant Mitchell flew interdiction missions against supply storage areas along a known hostile infiltration route and conducted reconnaissance missions deep into areas considered to be hostile strongholds. As a result of Lieutenant Mitchell’s heroic actions, the hostile forces were denied a large area of operations and their offensive capability was greatly reduced all over South Vietnam. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Mitchell reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.