VETERANS PAGE: Palisadian Honored for Service During WWII

Palisadian George Mitchell was among nearly 100 CAP members present in Washington D.C. last month to accept the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the Civil Air Patrol. It is the most distinguished honor a civilian can receive.

News of the accolade made headlines and Mitchell was featured on a local TV news show.

As a true man of service, Mitchell spoke humbly of his time in the CAP. “I didn’t do anything that spectacular,” he said in the segment. “I wasn’t expecting anything out of the government or the war effort for me personally.”

In an interview with the Palisadian-Post, Mitchell said that although he was not an enlisted man at the outbreak of WWII, it did not stop him from serving his country.

Mitchell was a founding member of the CAP, which was created after the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Members of the organization volunteered their time, aircraft and personal resources in support of the war effort.

The CAP was instrumental in domestic defense through reconnaissance and humanitarian work, including supply drops.

The efforts weren’t without risk, however. Some CAP member lost their lives in combat with enemy boats and aircraft.

“My greatest service was to be available for any mission that was needed,” he said. “The ones that would get the most publicity though were submarine patrols.”

Aside from helping with military operations, the CAP also marched in parades and participated in fundraisers.

“It was a presentation to the public,” Mitchell said, “that we were a well-organized service.”

Mitchell was always reminiscent of the Palisades as his true home.

Upon returning to Los Angeles from Chicago after service, Mitchell recalls speaking with a fellow CAP member about their respective homes.

“I live in the best part of the best city in the best state: Pacific Palisades,” said Mitchell, who survived the war and eventually spent 50 years piloting for American Airlines.