Title

Oral history with Kimberly Mitchell

Creation Date

August 11 2021

Description

2021.092.001    Kimberly was born in the Republic of South Vietnam, Quan Tri Provence in 1971.  As an infant she was found aside the road, clutching her mother’s dead body.  A serviceman (South Vietnamese) found her and walked with her 37 miles to an orphanage.  At that facility an American Air Force member, James Mitchell, fell in love with her.  He adopted her and brought her back to the states.  She grew up in Solon Springs WI, attending Solon Springs High School.  Her school continued at he the US Naval Academy prep school, US Naval Academy, and George Washington University.
She reflects on her service as “getting a great education, seeing the world, and giving back to her country.”  Advanced training as a naval officer took place in Norfolk VA, Pearl Harbor, and San Diego.  Her fir assignment was on the USS Stumpe as a Damage Control Officer.  Other units served in were: Assault Craft Unit 4, Washington DC Staffs, USS Cromwelin,  Destroyer Squadron 50,  Navy International Program, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and office of the Chairman of the Joint Chief staff. Her time in service began in 1990 until 2012.  She rose to the rank of Lt Commander (CO-4) while receiving numerous personal and unit awards.  Returning to civilian life she worked in non-profit and veteran organizations.  The military changed her life for the better and been a positive experience.  She now finds herself in San Diego CA as President of  her organization “ Veterans Village of San Diego”.   This continues her commitment to leading veterans helping them reach their potential.  She claims she experienced “the ultimate fly on the wall” working in the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chief as his military social aide.  It was there she met and saw people not usually met or seen.