Platoon Sergeant Mitchell Paige, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on October 26, 1942 in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Paige was 24 years old.
The medal was presented on May 21, 1943. Balcombe, Australia, presented by Major Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, Commanding Gen. 1st Marine Division. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.
Paige was born on August 31, 1918 in Charleroi, Washington County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Paige died on November 15, 2003 in Palm Desert, California, at the age of 85. He is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. His medal is held by Mitchell Paige Hall, Eldred WWII Museum, Eldred, PA.
Paige is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a company of marines in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 26 October 1942. When the enemy broke through the line directly in front of his position, P/Sgt. Paige, commanding a machine-gun section with fearless determination, continued to direct the fire of his gunners until all his men were either killed or wounded. Alone, against the deadly hail of Japanese shells, he fought with his gun and when it was destroyed, took over another, moving from gun to gun, never ceasing his withering fire against the advancing hordes until reinforcements finally arrived. Then, forming a new line, he dauntlessly and aggressively led a bayonet charge, driving the enemy back and preventing a breakthrough in our lines. His great personal valor and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
How he died
- Manner of death: natural causes
- Cause of death: myocardial infarction
- Age at death: 85
- Resting place: Riverside National Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Mitchell Paige received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II, Korean War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: McKeesport Area High School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →
Timeline
- August 31, 1918Born in Charleroi, Washington County, Pennsylvania
- October 26, 1942Act of valor — Guadalcanal, Solomon IslandsAge 24. Company H, 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
- May 21, 1943Medal of Honor presentedBalcombe, Australia, presented by Major Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, Commanding Gen. 1st Marine Division
- November 15, 2003Died in Palm Desert, CaliforniaAge 85.
- Resting placeRiverside National CemeteryRiverside, California
Biography
Mitchell Paige (August 31, 1918 – November 15, 2003) was an American retired United States Marine Corps colonel who received the nation's highest military decoration for valor in combat, the Medal of Honor, during World War II. On October 26, 1942, after thirty-three Marines in his machine gun platoon were killed or wounded defending a ridge during the Battle of Guadalcanal, Platoon Sergeant Paige operated four machine guns, singlehandedly stopping an entire Japanese regiment. He also led a bayonet charge afterwards.
From the Wikipedia article “Mitchell Paige”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Videos
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Further reading
- Group Of Southwestern Pa. Veterans Create Space For War Hero To Be Honoredpittsburgh.cbslocal.com · 2021
- Charleroi native who earned the Medal of Honor to receive a monumentobserver-reporter.com · 2021
