The President of the United States,
in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting
the MEDAL OF HONOR to:
PLATOON SERGEANT MITCHELL PAIGE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
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 t
he 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