Charles Davis Mize (December 4, 1921 – December 10, 1998) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. He was decorated with the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat, during Korean War. Mize completed his career as commanding general, 1st Marine Division. His son, David M. Mize, also served in the Marines and reached the rank of major general as his father did.
Early career and World War II
Charles D. Mize was born on December 4, 1921, in Cave Spring, Georgia, as the son of farmer Hershel Edgar and Annie Ruth Mize. He attended the local high school and subsequently entered the Darlington School in Rome, Georgia, in summer 1939. However, Mize left the school during the following year in order to accept appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.
During his time at the academy, Mize was active in football and swimming teams. He graduated on June 7, 1944, with Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on the same date.
Upon his graduation, Mize completed the Reserve Officers Course at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico in January 1945 and was ordered to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he joined 55th Replacement Draft as platoon leader. He was attached as Rifle platoon leader to the Company F, 2nd Battalion, 29th Marines under Colonel Victor Bleasdale and sailed with 6th Marine Division for Okinawa in March 1945.
Mize went ashore at the beginning of April, but was shot in the upper arm by a Japanese soldier he was flushing out of a cave. He was ordered to the United States for treatment and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in July 1945. Mize received the Purple Heart medal for his wounds and Navy Presidential Unit Citation for participation of his division in Okinawa.
Postwar career
His recovery lasted until November of that year and subsequently joined Marine detachment at Charleston Navy Yard for duty as Company Officer in Guard Company. Mize was transferred to the Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina in January 1946 and served as Commander of Military Police Company until June of that year.
Mize was subsequently transferred to Detroit, Michigan for duty as Assistant Inspector-Instructor, 17th Reserve Infantry Battalion. He was transferred to Peoria, Illinois, in September 1947 and served as inspector-instructor, Company C, 8th Reserve Infantry Battalion, until July 1949. He joined 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment on Guam in July 1949 and followed the regiment to Camp Pendleton, California in February 1950.
Korean War
Following the outbreak of Korean War in June 1950, 5th Marines were attached to the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Edward A. Craig and ordered to the Far East area at the end of July of that year. Mize served as Platoon Commander in Company G, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines at that time and landed in Pusan Perimeter on August 4.
During the fighting near Kosong, commander of Company H, Captain Joseph C. Fegan Jr. (future Lieutenant general) was severely wounded by enemy fire on August 18 and unable to move. Even Mize was one foot smaller and hundred pounds lighter than Fegan who had almost 6,6 foot, he hoisted him over his shoulder and carry him over the rough terrain to the Field dressing station. This feat saved Fegan's life and both men remained friends for the rest of their lives.
Mize subsequently participated in the landing on Inchon at the beginning of September 1950 and later took part in the fighting near Hill 216 in the vicinity of Seoul, where commander of Company G, Robert D. Bohn was wounded on September 23 and evacuated to the rear for treatment. Mize subsequently assumed command of the Company G and led it during the recapture of Seoul, where he participated in the heavy street combats. He was wounded, but refused to be evacuated and continued to lead his company during the capture of General Government Palace, where Marines under his command tore down North Korean flags flying over its dome and ran up American flags, then routed the enemy troops, moving room by room. For this act of valor, Mize received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. He also received Gold Star in lieu of his second Purple Heart for wounds.
His official Navy Cross citation reads: