Mitchell, Raymond

   Age:                      21

   Hometown:        West Memphis

   Rank:                   Specialist: United States Army - 2^nd Battalion, 14^th Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 10^th Mountain Division

   Cause:                 Died in Baghdad, Iraq, on January 6, 2007, from wounds suffered in combat

Pfc. Raymond Mitchell of West Memphis, Arkansas, died on January 6, 2007, during an ambush in Baghdad, Iraq.  He was 21 years old. Mitchell was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division based in Fort Drum, New York.  He was on his second tour in Iraq as a driver and gunner for Humvees on patrol.   

Mitchell grew up in Aurora, Colorado, and moved to West Memphis in 2002 to live with his grandparents, Raymond and Joyce Mitchell.  He graduated West Memphis Christian School in 2004 and attended Arkansas State University before enlisting in the Army in 2005. The Mitchells owned and operated the Best Holiday Trav-L-Park off Interstate 55 for 18 years and have retired to Winchester, Tennessee.  His grandmother recalled that “He was just so funny . . . everyone liked him.”  According to her, he visited his old high school in December 2006 while on leave.  

Students at West Memphis Christian has sent him packages and thanked him for his service.  According to teachers, he was a success story and will most certainly be missed.  Teacher Lynette Bankston said, “When he came to us, he was troubled and didn’t care much for school work, but during his time here with us, he really turned around.  He came out of his shell, became involved and thrived here.” In addition to his grandparents, he is survived by his parents, Carolyn and Raymond Mitchell.