Decorated World War II veteran from Hutchinson dies at 103

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A decorated World War II veteran died on Christmas Eve morning at the age of 103, his family confirmed. Olen Mitchell, an Army veteran who survived a severe injury in Germany during the war, went on to be an active member of his community and in support of fellow veterans. His family said that Mitchell died in his sleep Tuesday morning.

During his service, Mitchell received a Purple Heart after being shot in the face two weeks before D-Day in 1944. Earlier this year, Mitchell participated in an Honor Flight to France, recognizing the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Following the trip, Mitchell was briefly hospitalized for observation but soon returned home to Hutchinson.

Reflecting on Mitchell’s life and legacy, Kansas Honor Flight recalled how Mitchell recovered in the hospital for several months and returned to service in his role with the Military Police before being discharged.

Mitchell’s nephew, Mark Rank, said it took nine months to put Mitchell back together after he was shot.

This month, riders with American Legion Post 4 visited Mitchell to celebrate his 103rd birthday.

“We will dearly miss Olen. But his courage, inspiration and kindness will always remain in our hearts,” the Kansas Honor Flight posted. “We owe a debt that is too big to repay to our Greatest Generation heroes but will be forever grateful.”

Kansas Honor Flight added that “Heaven needed a hero just in time for Christmas.”

For his service to his country, Mitchell also received the Bronze Star. Despite all of his achievements, Rank said that his uncle was a humble man.

“He was just a simple, kindhearted man who gave his all to everybody,” Rank said. “He didn’t spend his money on frills or anything like that but he would help anyone who needed help. He was just that kind of person.”

In the season of giving, Rank remembers the most important lesson that his uncle taught him.

“At Christmastime, all I can think of is that you want to be giving back to people and the inspiration that he always put forward for us to always give back and always extend the hand to a fellow man. He was just a wonderful man.”

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