PVT William Roscoe Mitchell Jr

courtesy of Michael Beach

PVT William Roscoe Mitchell Jr was born 12 Oct 1925 in Lexington, Oklahoma. He was the 4th of 7 children born to William Roscoe and Gladys A. (Graham) Mitchell. His father farmed but by 1940 was Chief of Police in Lexington reporting a 1939 income of $1220. Billie, as he was known in the family, said he was unemployed when he registered for the draft.

We aren't certain but it is likely that Billie wasn't drafted until late 1943. Sent to the European theater after his basic infantry training, he was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944.  PVT Mitchell was killed in action that same day.

PVT Mitchell rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.