Ralph J. Mitchell was born on September 25, 1891, in New Britain, Connecticut. He attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated on June 5, 1915, with bachelor's degree. During his time at the academy, he captained the lacrosse team, was active in football and also served as associate editor of the midshipman magazine, The Log. Many of his classmates became distinguished general officers later: Arthur C. Davis, Francis S. Low, Lynde D. McCormick, Arthur D. Struble, Ralph W. Christie, John L. McCrea, Harvey Overesch, Pedro del Valle, Howard L. Vickery, Richard W. Bates, Henry P. Burnett, Archie F. Howard, DeWitt Peck, Oliver H. Ritchie, James M. Shoemaker, Scott Umsted or Raymond R. Wright. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps on the same date. He served first as a ground officer in the States and at Guam and after World War I, he was assigned to the flight training. He completed the training and was designated Naval aviator in the Marine Corps in June 1921. His first aviation assignment was with Naval Air Station Guam, where he stayed until 1923, when he was assigned to the aviation section of the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. Later he attended Army Air Service Tactical School at Langley Field, Virginia. He also attended Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After graduation, Mitchell was appointed Aircraft Squadron Commander within West Coast Expeditionary Force stationed at Naval Air Station San Diego, California. In December 1929, Major Mitchell was appointed Commander of Squadron attached to the Second Marine Brigade, which was sent to Nicaragua to suppress Sandino Rebellion. On June 19, 1930, Major Mitchell led six-plane patrol, which encountered and attacked a large enemy unit of Sandinistas bandits near the town of Jinotega. Squadron under Mitchell's Command inflicted heavy casualties to Sandinitas Bandits and forced them to retreat. For the extraordinary ability and excellent judgment, Major Mitchell was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was also decorated with the Presidential Order of Merit with Gold star by the Government of Nicaragua. After his return to the United States, Mitchell was appointed Aircraft Squadron Commander within East Coast Expeditionary Force stationed in Quantico, Virginia. He also attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, in June 1932 and subsequently was transferred to the Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served in Commandant's Department. In 1935, Mitchell participated in the fleet exercises aboard the USS "Lexington and USS "Ranger and was involved in the developing of the carrier aircraft operations. Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell was listed as the technical advisor in the opening credits of the 1935 movie called "Devil Dogs of the Air" which starred James Cagney and Pat O'Brien.
Mitchell was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on March 11, 1939, and was appointed director of aviation within Headquarters Marine Corps. In this capacity, he was responsible for the organization of the Marine Air arm for the Pacific Campaign. He was later awarded with the Legion of Merit for his service in this capacity. Mitchell was subsequently transferred to the Pacific, where relived Major general Roy S. Geiger from command of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing on April 21, 1943. He was promoted to the rank of major general on the same date. He was also Commander Marine Aircraft, South Pacific. Mitchell commanded these units during initial stage of Rabaul operation and subsequently planned and coordinated air strikes against Japanese fortifications at Rabaul. In the upcoming Bougainville Campaign, general Mitchell successfully attacked the supply lines of enemy cargo ships. For his tireless effort Mitchell was decorated with the second Legion of Merit and Navy Distinguished Service Medal. He continued to command 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and was also appointed Commander of Aircraft at Northern Solomons. He distinguished himself in neutralizing of enemy bases in the Northern Solomons, New Britain and New Ireland and was decorated with Army Distinguished Service Medal. General Mitchell later participated in the Philippines Campaign and served in the Pacific Theater until June 5, 1945. During his World War II service, he was also decorated with two Air Medals and made Companion of Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath by New Zealand.
Postwar life
He returned to the United States in August 1945 and was appointed commander of the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. In this capacity, he was simultaneously a Commander of the 9th Marine Aircraft Wing and later 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, stationed there. During the summer of 1947, Mitchell was transferred to the Hawaii, where he was appointed Commander of Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He returned to the United States in early of the year 1948, awaiting retirement. General Mitchell retired from the Marine Corps in May 1948 and was advanced to the rank of lieutenant general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. Lieutenant General Ralph J. Mitchell died on May 31, 1970, in Naval Medical Center San Diego, California. He was survived by his widow, Belle Thompson Mitchell and their son, Ralph J. Mitchell, Jr., Lieutenant Commander, USNR.
Decorations
Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General Ralph J. Mitchell:
