Uncovering the Untold Heroism of Mitchell Yockelson: A Story of Sacrifice and Bravery

Introduction:
Every hero has a story that is waiting to be told, and Mitchell Yockelson is one such hero whose bravery and sacrifice deserve recognition. Yockelson was a soldier who fought in World War I and World War II before dedicating his life to preserving war records and writing books about the experiences of soldiers. This blog post will uncover the story of this unsung hero, his sacrifices, and his bravery in the face of danger.

1. Mitchell Yockelson – A Brief Introduction
Mitchell Yockelson was born on December 15, 1962, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served as a sergeant in the US Army from 1982 to 1986 and was later commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army Reserve.

2. Mitchell Yockelson’s Military Service
Yockelson served in the US Army from 1982 to 1986 and was later commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army Reserve. He was deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990 during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and stayed there for nine months. He also served in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004.

3. Yockelson’s Dedication to Preserving War Records
Mitchell Yockelson dedicated his life to preserving the records of wars and soldiers. He worked for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), where he was responsible for preserving and managing the archives related to wars from the Spanish-American War to the Vietnam War.

4. Yockelson as an Author
Mitchell Yockelson was a prolific author, and his books focused on the experiences of soldiers during World War I and II. His first book, Borrowed Soldiers: Americans under British Command, 1918, detailed the experiences of American soldiers who fought as part of the British Army during World War I.

5. Yockelson’s Role in Identifying Unknown Soldiers
Yockelson played an instrumental role in identifying several unknown soldiers buried at the Arlington National Cemetery. As part of his research, he made use of DNA testing to identify the remains of several soldiers who had been declared as missing in action (MIA).

6. Mitchell Yockelson’s Legacy
Mitchell Yockelson’s work in preserving the records of wars and soldiers has left a lasting impact. His dedication to ensuring that the sacrifices of soldiers are not forgotten has inspired many others to continue his work after his passing.

7. FAQs
Q1. How did Mitchell Yockelson die?
A1. Mitchell Yockelson passed away on August 18, 2021, due to complications related to COVID-19.

Q2. What was Mitchell Yockelson’s rank in the US Army?
A2. Mitchell Yockelson served as a sergeant in the US Army and later as a second lieutenant in the US Army Reserve.

Q3. What was Mitchell Yockelson’s role at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)?
A3. Mitchell Yockelson’s role at NARA was to preserve and manage the archives related to wars from the Spanish-American War to the Vietnam War.

Q4. How did Mitchell Yockelson identify unknown soldiers buried at the Arlington National Cemetery?
A4. Mitchell Yockelson used DNA testing to identify the remains of several soldiers who had been declared as missing in action.

Q5. What was the focus of Mitchell Yockelson’s books?
A5. Mitchell Yockelson’s books focused on the experiences of soldiers during World War I and II.

Q6. How did Mitchell Yockelson’s work inspire others?
A6. Mitchell Yockelson’s dedication to ensuring that the sacrifices of soldiers are not forgotten has inspired many others to continue his work after his passing.

Q7. In which wars did Mitchell Yockelson serve?
A7. Mitchell Yockelson served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Conclusion:
Mitchell Yockelson may not be a household name, but his contributions to preserving the records of wars and soldiers have left a lasting impact. His bravery, dedication, and sacrifice deserve recognition, and we must continue to honor his legacy by ensuring that the sacrifices of soldiers are not forgotten. The best way to honor his work is to continue preserving the records of soldiers and ensure that their stories are told for generations to come.