This is the 4th in my VALOR series of blogs. Col Mitchell Paige was the 2nd MOH Recipient I sent a poster too and one of the many who sent back more than I asked for including a very nice letter commenting on my work. It ment and still means so much to me that a Marine as great as he was took the time to tell me; " I have autographed hundreds since WWII but none as attactive as those you sent me."

Known in the Marines simply as "Mitch" what an honor it was to add his autograph to my collection. He died a year later and I thank God I had not waited longer to send him a request. That is what makes collecting Medal of Honor Recipients so special to me, you just never know.

Here is some of what he sent back and his MOH story.

Mitchell Paige (August 31, 1918–November 15, 2003) was a recipient of the Medal of Honor from World War II. He received this most prestigious military honor awarded by the United States of America for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands on October 26, 1942, where, he operated four machine guns, singlehandedly stopping an entire Japanese regiment.

In the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, on October 26, 1942, while a platoon Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, he held his line against advancing Japanese forces even after all of his comrades had been killed or wounded. After reinforcements arrived, Paige led a counterattack against the Japanese, which successfully repelled the enemy forces and held the American line. While on Guadalcanal he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the field on December 19, 1942. General Alexander Vandegrift presented Paige with the Medal of Honor in a special ceremony in Balcombe, Australia, on May 21, 1943 for his actions. Paige later served in the Korean War.

Through his life Paige received numerous awards both from the military and in civilian life including the highest military decoration bestowed on a United States military member, the Medal of Honor, he was an Eagle Scout, and he served as the model for a G.I. Joe action figure — the Marine Corps figure in a series honoring Medal of Honor recipients from each branch of the U.S. military.

Medal of Honor citation:

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on October 26, 1942. When the enemy broke through the line directly in front of his position, Platoon Sergeant 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 manned 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 break through in our lines. His great personal valor and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

/S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT