 From 1943 through 1946, he served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps, engaging in combat, flying P-51's from Iwo Jima to Japan while escorting B-29's on bombing raids as well as participating in fighter strikes against air field, shipping, rail transportation and other strategic targets.He was recalled into service in the United States Air Force, during the Korean war, and served 17 months in 1951 and 1952.Between his years of service in the two military branches, Mitchell followed in the footsteps of his father, attended the University of Georgia School of Law in Athens and earned LL.B.