Mark E. Mitchell
Distinguished Service CrossFor extraordinary heroism while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 3d Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), during the period of 25 to 28 November 2001, distinguished himself while engaged in combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom. As the Ground Force Commander of a rescue operation during the Battle of Qala-I-Jang Fortress, Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, Major Mitchell ensured the freedom of one American and the posthumous repatriation of another. His unparalleled courage under fire, decisive leadership and personal sacrifice were directly responsible for the success of the rescue operation and were further instrumental in ensuring the city of Mazar-e-Sharif did not fall back in the hands of the Taliban. His personal example has added yet another laurel to the proud military history of this Nation and serves as the standard for all others to emulate. Major Mitchell’s gallant deed was truly above and beyond the call of duty and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), the United States Army, and the United States of America.
The only American name most people recognize from the fierce three-day battle at Mazar-e-Sharif is that of John Walker Lindh, the Taliban kid from Marin County. While Lindh was disgracing himself, Army Special Forces Major Mark Mitchell was earning the first Distinguished Service Cross awarded since the Vietnam War. Vastly outnumbered, Mitchell led 15 Special Forces troops and allied fighters to rescue a CIA agent, recover Johnny “Mike” Spann’s body, and prevent a Taliban takeover of the fortress. During the fighting, Mitchell used the unwound turban of an allied soldier to scale a 35-foot-high wall of the compound and then directed air strikes from his exposed position. CIA director George Tenet attended the ceremony last November recognizing Mitchell for “extraordinary heroism in action.”
With no body armor or helmet and vastly outnumbered, Mitchell led about 15 Special Forces and foreign allies as they sought to rescue another CIA agent, recover Spann’s body and prevent the Taliban from taking over the fortress.During the three-day battle, Mitchell scaled a 30- to 35-foot-high fortress wall using the unwound turban of a Northern Alliance soldier.
From a vulnerable position on the wall, he directed air strikes that proved vital in defeating the Taliban fighters at the fortress. He saw the 2,000 pound bombs roar to their targets, looking like enormous white lawn darts, and felt the blast waves from the explosions.
Mitchell also braved enemy fire in his search for the second CIA agent, who was eventually able to escape over the fortress wall. Even when an errant bomb injured nine of his men – more than half – he was able to evacuate the injured and direct the remaining soldiers as they repelled the Taliban attacks.
[...] McGough was one of eight SBS men in two armed Land Rovers under a British commander, and nine US special forces, led by Major Mark Mitchell, who raced to prevent the Taliban from breaking out of the jail to retake Mazar-i-Sharif. [...]