Russell Yarborough Mitchell

First Lieutenant Russell Yarborough Mitchell was killed in action on August 13, 1950 in the battle of the Naktong River during the Korean War.  He was 32 years old.

Russell Yarborough Mitchell was born on November 23, 1917. In 1930 he was living in Henderson in the household of  his adoptive father, William G. Pruitt and his mother Annie Elizabeth Mitchell Pruitt. By 1950 he was married to Nancy C. Mitchell and had three daughters.

1Lt Mitchell was deployed to Korea in 1950 serving with the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division.

When General MacArthur ordered United States ground troops to Korea after the invasion of South Korea by the Communists in June 1950, the 34th was one of the first units to strike back against the aggressors.  The regiment arrived at Pusan on July 2, and three days later was engaged in combat against the North Korean 4th Division.   On July 7, the 34th and other elements of the 24th Division were forced to withdraw from the Pyongtaek and Ansong area.  By July 11, the 34th had fought its way back to the Kum River, three miles north of Kongju.

The 34th Infantry participated in the bitter fighting around Taejon for five days and was finally forced to withdraw to the vicinity of Kunwi, on July 23, 1950. During the next week the 34th fought in the withdrawal to the Naktong River where the NK 4th Division established a bridgehead on the 6th of August.  From the 6th to the 19th of August the 34th suffered heavy losses participating in the many actions to reduce the enemy bridgehead.  1Lt. Mitchell was killed in action on August 13, 1950.

First Lieutenant Russell Yarborough Mitchell is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Louisburg, North Carolina.

Last edited: 31 May 2026