Mitchell Paige was born Aug. 31, 1918, in Charleroi, PA.
Paige enlisted in the Marine Corp in September of 1936, and went on to recruit training in Parris Island, S.C. Paige has held practically every rank and assignment in a Marine Corp Infantry Battalion, from private to commanding officer. He received a Field Commission from platoon sergeant to second lieutenant at Guadalcanal in Dec. of 1942. His field experience had taken him to Cape Gloucester, China, Cuba, Guadalcanal, Japan, Korea, New Britain Island, New Guinea, Pavuvu, the Philippines, the Russell Islands, the Solomon Islands, and Vietnam.
Mitchell Paige is a Medal of Honor recipient. He received the following official citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in combat against Japanese enemy forces in the Solomon Islands area on Oct. 26, 1942. When the enemy broke through the line directly in front of his position, platoon sergeant Paige, commanding a machine gun with fearless determination, continued to direct fire of his gunners until all of his men were either killed or wounded.
Alone, against the deadly hail of Japanese shells, he manned his gun, and when it was destroyed, he took over another gun, moving from gun to gun, never ceasing his fire until replacements finally arrived. Then, forming a new line, he dauntlessly and aggressively led a bayonet charge, driving the enemy back and preventing a breakthrough in our lines. His great personal valor and unyielding devotion to duty were keeping with the brightest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Mitchell Paige retired from the Marines in July of 1964. He researched and developed miniature rockets, miniature rocket weapons systems, penetration aids, and hypervelocity acceleration. He assisted in the design and development of a 4 inch rocket launcher capable of firing 13mm giro-jet flares, smoke, radar chaff and explosive rounds while working at MB Associates Science and Rocketry in San Ramon, California. He used a 13mm hand gun and a 13mm Foliage Penetrating Signal Distress Kit in combat while in Vietnam in 1967, with orders from President Johnson. Paige was involved in research and development of air-inflated devices and related recovery equipment. He invented the "TUPIT" (The Universal Paige Inflatable Tent) which he donated to Army laboratories in Natick, MA.
Paige is the author of his autobiography A Marine Named Mitch, published in 1975.
He was a member of the following:
- Congressional Medal of Honor Society
- Army & Navy Legion of Valor
- Military order of the Purple Heart
- First Marine Division Assoc.
- Marine Corps League
- British Royal Marines
- Guadalcanal Campaign Veterans
- National Order of Battlefield Commissions
- Disabled American Veterans
- American Legion
- AMVETS
- VFW
- Naval Order of the United States
- Marine Corp Mustang Assoc.
Paige was "Special Ambassador", representing the President, with the U.S. State Department in the Solomon Islands, at the 10th anniversary celebrating Guadalcanal's independence.
Colonel Mitchell Paige died November 15, 2003.
