WWII Veteran Olen Mitchell saw history up close on visit to France
Going to France June 6 for the 80th anniversary of D-Day was not on Olen Mitchell’s bucket list of things to do in a lifetime that has spanned 102 years, but a month following his return he cherishes the experience as a highlight of his long life.
Earlier this year, he responded to an invitation to participate in an American Airlines-sponsored flight to France for the D-Day observance.
“The average age of the veterans group was about 101,” Mitchell said with a hearty laugh. “The event was meticulously planned and on board were four doctors, eight nurses, and an Emergency Medical Technician.”
Mitchell joined 200, including 70 World War II veterans, in Dallas May 30 for a nine-hour flight to Paris to participate in the D-Day observance.
Mitchell was drafted by the Army in 1943 and following 16 weeks of training, was assigned to Company L, the 337th Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, which was sent to Sicily, Italy. While in Sicily, Mitchell worked with his company to clean out railroad tunnels that were often used by the German military to transport soldiers and equipment. A few days in advance of D-Day, he was injured and upon his recovery, was assigned to the military police, where he served until his discharge in 1946.
After two days of touring Paris, Mitchell said he was quite taken by the narrow streets, abundance of roundabouts, the Eiffel Tower, which stretches nearly 1,100 feet in the air and the friendly Parisians who they met. Mitchell was surprised there were few souvenir shops in Paris and not many tall buildings. When their bus broke down, Paris residents stepped forward to offer their homes to the visiting veterans.
Soon, they were on a bus for a four-hour trip to Omaha Beach where American paratroopers came ashore the morning of June 6, 1944, a landing that would come to be known as the Normandy Invasion.
Riding on the bus was a 107-year-old Air Force veteran from Wisconsin. When a tour guide announced the next town, they would be passing, the aging veteran spoke up, “I bombed that town on June 6, 1944.”
Along the way, Mitchell said they were greeted by cheering French citizens, many of whom spoke English who thanked the visiting Americans for liberating their country eight decades earlier.
Among the most sobering moments for Mitchell were visits to several cemeteries from both World War I and World War II. Among those buried in the cemeteries were 22 American soldiers whose identities remain unknown.
“It was very sad to see the graves of those who did not return to enjoy life as I did,” Mitchell said. “I knew some of those who died and wish there had been time to visit their graves.”
Each veteran was accompanied by, in most cases, a family member. Mitchell’s great nephew, Jordan Mitchell, who resides in California, was on the trip. While walking Omaha Beach, Jordan retrieved a jar of sand to bring home at a site where so much history transpired.
On June 6, the eyes of the world were on France for an observance like no other.
Sitting within feet of President Joe Biden and France’s President Emmanuel Macron, the group of veterans were in awe as each spoke.
“I have never seen so many people in one place,” Mitchell said.
As each leader spoke, Mitchell said he found himself thinking about those who fought on Omaha Beach and what they went through that fateful day. In the distance, the hedge rows where German soldiers hid in wait for the American invaders remain as a testament to that war so long ago.
“Also, it seemed like there were more military vehicles parked in the area that day than there were during wartime,” Mitchell said.
Speaker Emerita of the House Nancy Pelosi visited with the veterans and presented each with a medallion as a token of appreciation.
The following morning, the group was airborne for a return flight across the Atlantic Ocean to Dallas. En route, Mitchell was affected by an irregular heartbeat and was hospitalized in Dallas for three days before being driven to Hutchinson by his niece. This past week, Mitchell underwent a procedure to receive two stents and is well on his way to recovery.
Relaxing in his apartment at Wesley Towers on Sunday afternoon, Mitchell said his only wish is that people would learn how to live together.
“War does not settle anything for a long period of time,” Mitchell said.
As for his future, one should not be surprised to see Mitchell cruising the streets of Hutchinson in one of his two antique vehicles, a 1929 Model A Ford pickup or a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle.
And, in 2029, Mitchell might show up for the 85th anniversary of D-Day.
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