Last Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Guadalcanal USMC Colonel Mitchell Paige has died

homeofheroes.com ^

[ErnBatavia]

I probably blew the format for starting a thread...and didn't see posted elsewhere.

A true hero has moved on. My 56 year old self just went outside, faced the sky, and offered the best salute I've snapped in 35 years.

Rest In Peace, Mitch....proud and honored to have had your aquaintance.

[cpdiii]

The man was a Giant amongst Giants. Men such as he is why The United States of America is free.

[GeronL]

wow. Thats quite a life!

[amom]

ErnBatavia: Thanks for letting us know. So sorry...

Tonk: FYI

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[amom]

Thanks Tonk.

Here's a link to his 'my story' page. Amazing read...simply amazing.

http://www.homeofheroes.com/mitch/index2.html

[cars for sale]

bump for later read

[katykelly]

bttt

[Chapita]

Mom's brother was in the 7th Marines on the 'canal'. http://www.homeofheros.com/mitch/03_mystory.html

[Old Professer]

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

John Donne

[Mortimer Snavely]

RIP

We'll meet him later on. No doubt he and his fellow Guadacanal Marines (like my Uncle) will be doing sentry duty at the Pearly Gates.

[Vetnet]

Thanks for posting this. I met Mitch a while back and he was a helluva a guy. I filmed a 2 hour interview of him a few years ago and couldn't believe the story he told us about his life and his experience in WWII and in subsequent years.

For years, Mitch was instrumental in tracking down MOH "imposters" throughout the years and he worked closely with the FBI to punish the people who dared to falsely claim they were recipients of the Medal.

I recently read a funny story that he only recently was awarded his Eagle Scout award after realizing decades after earning it, that he wasn't recognized on the national Eagle Scout roster. He inquired about it and discovered that sometime after rushing off to find his destiny in WWII, his records were lost, but the scouts were able to track down someone who vouched for him from way back and he finally got his Eagle Scout designation.

It's a sad day for the country to see him go.

Rest in Peace, Mitch.

[F14 Pilot]

RIP Colonel Paige ~!

[manna]

My condolences to family and friends ...

[ErnBatavia]

did he say "Action figure!!" Yes...with a smirk!

[ErnBatavia]

Here's how he inscribed the box on the G.I. Joe...:

"With my warmest personal regards and every good wish. Semper Fidelis and God's richest blessings - Mitchell Paige Col. USMC, Ret"

[MadelineZapeezda]

Ern,thank you for posting this. A sad bump to a personal hero of mine.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Bumping...

[Chancellor Palpatine]

pinging

[MadelineZapeezda]

to see an old read only thread on Col. Paige

[MeekOneGOP]

Last Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of
Guadalcanal USMC Colonel Mitchell Paige has died

Rest in peace, Colonel Paige ...