Eugene H. Mitchell, is Colonel in the United States Army who served from 1917 to 1946. He was known to command 61st Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Commonwealth Army part of 61st Infantry Division in Panay Island and later Negros Island.
Eugene H. Mitchell | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Eugene Hill Mitchell |
| Born | October 27, 1894 Clay, Illinois |
| Died | January 20, 1970 Austin, Travis, Texas, USA |
| Buried | Bexar, San Antonio, Texas |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1946 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Service number | O007463 |
| Commands | 61st Infantry Regiment (Philippines) |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Lanao |
| Spouse(s) | Bernice H. Mitchell |
| Children | Doris D. Mitchell Fred Hartel Mitchell |
He arrived in the Philippines on November 20, 1941, and was immediately sent to Island of Panay to report to 61st Division commander Colonel Bradford Chynoweth for conference and has to leave immediately sent to Negros Island were his unit is posted.[1]
His regiment was ordered transferred to Mindanao and was deployed in southern of Lanao now attached to 81st Infantry Division under Brigadier General Guy O. Fort.[2]
He led his regiment to fight Japanese forces who landed in Parang, Cotabato and Malabang, Lanao and moved upward towards Ganassi, Lanao. His troops made a valiant effort but without artillery and air support which Japanese has. His regiment was dispersed several times he escaped twice avoiding capture to mount another defensive position. However, his last defensive were his troops were routed and he himself got captured.[3]
On May 11, he was sent to Cebu to relay General Sharp's order to General Chynoweth to surrender his troops. He became prisoner of war and was brought to Luzon and later to Formosa.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Mitchell, Eugene. Individual Statements of commanders (PDF). p. 8.
- ^ Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines (1st ed.). Washington, D.C: US Government Printing Press (published June 26, 1953). pp. 512–514.
- ^ Tarkington, Hiram (November 1, 1941 – May 12, 1942). There Were Others (PDF). pp. 98–100.
- ^ "Wainwright and Ten D. C. Area Officers In New Jap Camp" (PDF).