Plat/Sgt Mitchell Paige
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
Mitchell Paige was born on August 31, 1918 in Charleroi, Pennsylvania. His parents were Serbs, from the Herzegovina and the family surname was originally spelled Pejić. On September 1, 1936, Paige enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) at Baltimore, Maryland, and attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. In November 1936, he was transferred to Quantico, Virginia. Later, assigned as a gunner aboard the USS Wyoming (BB-32).

Wartime History
On October 24, 1942 took up positions on Kola Ridge south of Kukum inland from the north coast of Guadalcanal near what would later become Wright Road.

Medal of Honor Citation "For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a company of marines in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 26 October 1942. When the enemy broke through the line directly in front of his position, P/Sgt. 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 fought with 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 breakthrough in our lines. His great personal valor and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service"

References
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Mitchell Paige
Guide to the Guadalcanal Battlefields (2017) pages 56-57, 87