Mitchell, John W. (John William), 1914-1995

John William Mitchell (June 14, 1914 – November 15, 1995) was an officer of the United States Air Force, a flying ace, and the leader of Operation Vengeance, the mission to shoot down Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Mitchell flew 240 combat missions in World War II and Korean War and was credited with 15 aerial victories together in the two wars.

After serving in Korea, Mitchell served with the 28th Air Division at Hickam Air Force Base from June 1953 to July 1956. Mitchell's final assignment was as commander of the Detroit Air Defense Sector at Custer Air Force Station from July 1957 until his retirement from the Air Force on July 31, 1958.

Mitchell died on November 15, 1995, in San Anselmo, California. His wife Anne died on March 14, 2008. Both of them are buried and share a same headstone at Golden Gate National Cemetery.