Mark E. Mitchell
Mark E. Mitchell | |
|---|---|
| Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict | |
| In office June 20, 2019 – November 1, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Owen West |
| Succeeded by | Thomas A. Alexander (Acting) |
| In office August 1, 2017 – December 20, 2017 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Michael D. Lumpkin |
| Succeeded by | Owen West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 15, 1965 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Education | Marquette University (BS) Naval Postgraduate School (MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1987–2015 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | Special Forces |
| Commands | 5th Special Forces Group |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (4) |
Mark Edward Mitchell (born September 15, 1965) is a former official in the United States Department of Defense and a retired military officer.
Mitchell served as the acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict in 2019. A retired colonel, Mitchell was the first member of the United States Army to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross during the War in Afghanistan and was the first to receive the award since the Vietnam War. He received the award in 2003 for his actions during the Battle of Qala-i-Jangi, which took place in late November to early December 2001. Mitchell's actions in Afghanistan are reported in Horse Soldiers, a 2009 non-fiction book by Doug Stanton.