Colonel George R. Mitchell is the Brigade Commander, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He is a decorated combat veteran of World War II and Korea. He holds the Nation’s second highest award, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, for extraordinary heroism during combat in the European Theater, World War II. Colonel Mitchell also holds the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and other decorations. | George R. Mitchell was born in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, on November 1, 1915. He was drafted into the Army as a private in February, 1942, and after short service as a corporal in the Infantry, he completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in August, 1942. | Colonel Mitchell trained with the 23rd Infantry Regiment at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. He served as Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Company Commander in that unit in combat in Europe. He was wounded in 1944, and spent over two years convalescing in hospitals both in Europe and in the United States. In 1948 and 1949 Colonel Mitchell was stationed in Greece as an instructor in tactics to the Greek Army. He returned to the U.S. in 1949 and joined the 7th Infantry at Fort Devons, Massachusetts, as a battalion executive officer and later as Regimental S1. During the Korean conflict he served with the 3rd Division as a battalion executive officer participating in the UN Offensive. In June, 1954, he completed studies at the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS. Following this training, he became Executive Officer of Special Activities Division, Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe and battalion commander, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment. Colonel Mitchell returned to the United States with the 39th Infantry Regiment and was stationed at Fort Carson, CO, until June 1957. At that time he departed to attend the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of the Army War College in June of 1958, Colonel Mitchell was assigned to Washington, D.C., where he was Executive Officer in the Office of the Chief of Civil Affairs. Returning to troop duty on 3 February 1962, Colonel Mitchell was assigned as Commanding Officer, 3rd Brigade, of the newly reactivated 1st Armored Division, Old Ironsides, Fort Hood, Texas.