For those of you who haven't heard, Col Mitchell Paige, USMC (Ret) Congressional Medal of Honor holder, died tis weekend... the news brought a tear to muh eye...
Here's the e-mail I forwarded with the news...
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We've lost another true American Hero... God rest his soul... Col Paige has earned it... I've heard him speak on several occasions, a more noble, modest, and patriotic citizen of the Republic would be hard to find... We were honored by his heroic service...
It is with great regret I note the passing of a Marine legend this weekend. Colonel Mitchell Paige, USMC (Ret) passed away early yesterday morning. One of the first things I remember my father telling me about Guadalcanal was how men like Colonel Paige secured Henderson Field so that the air element at Guadalcanal could come aboard. I was privileged to have had Colonel Paige on this distribution for the past three years. The following note was passed by his wife...
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Dear Friends:
My beloved husband, sweetheart, friend and hero passed away in my arms at 3:50 am this morning, November 15, 2003, of congestive heart failure. His long struggle with his heart is over and he is joyfully with the Lord where there is more peace and love than this earth knows.
Your friend,
Marilyn Paige
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Services tentatively are to he held at Riverside National Cemetery in Southern California on 24 November Monday. The date & time are not secured ... please check with their internet link. Riverside Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518 / (909) 653-8417 http://www.interment.net/data/us/ca/riverside/rivnat/
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Epilogue: sent 26 October 2003
Guadalcanal: 26 October 1942 (Sixty-one Years ago today.)
Sergeant Mitch Paige and his machine gun platoon (36 Marines) were the only force standing between a Japanese Regiment and their plan to shove the First Marine Division from a fragile beachhead back into the sea. This 1500 man enemy regiment attacked all night. By the next morning Sergeant Paige was the only Leatherneck not killed or wounded. Nine Hundred and twenty enemy causalities were in front of his seven water cooled-thirty caliber machine guns. It had been one horrific night filled with hand to hand combat. The remaining attackers fled at sunrise back down the hill to their regimental command post as they were chased and shot by Sergeant Paige.
President Roosevelt awarded the Medal of Honor to Mitch and a battlefield promotion to Lieutenant. This critical action in America's first offensive pacific campaign of the war was a turning point. Our Marines went on to victory throughout the South Pacific.
Mitch always a humble man when recently asked by Colonel Bates and Major Prentice about his World War II action, he simply states, "I was just doing the job I was trained to do."
Today's Mitch Paige has the same humility, the same candor and the same love of America he has always had. Our country and Marines, past, present, and future, are lucky to have .... a Marine named Mitch.
Last August 31, Mitch Paige turned 85 and is still fighting a battle against heart disease in Southern California.
This is a special year to remember Colonel Mitch and his charming wife Marilyn.
Lest we forget....
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I have the events of Bloody Ridge in his own words... if anyone's interested...
Let us cross over the river, and rest on the other side... save me a spot Colonel... cain't wait to hear yer voice again...