Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets remembers fallen Hokie

Marine Captain David Seth Mitchell, who went by Seth, died Monday supporting combat operations in Afghanistan.  The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets placed a wreath at the war memorial to remember one of their own.  The flag in the upper quad flies at half staff, in honor of Seth Mitchell.

He graduated as an Executive Officer from the Corps of Cadets in 2001 and then joined the Marine Corps.

Sarah Woods was a freshman in Mitchell’s company and says everyone knew what he was doing after finishing school.

“He was very much a marine at heart.  We all knew that he was going into the Marine Corps and you could kind of tell by the demeanor.  He had sense of service and duty,” said Woods.

Woods says Mitchell ran some of her training exercises and had a unique style of leadership.

“He was a very caring leader and to me, I think that that’s a strong leader.  He was never someone as a senior that would try to ride a freshman. He was a strong type who would correct if needed, but truthfully I don’t ever remember him coming down hard on anyone, he was here to help,” said Woods.

For Woods it’s been a tough couple days, as she’s been in contact with other friends of Mitchell on Facebook.

“He will be very much missed by all of his friends and you can feel how they’re kind feeling at the moment through those posts and through those conversations that I’ve had,” said Woods.

Mitchell is the 425th Tech Alum lost in battle since World War I.  His name will be added to the pylons at the War Memorial on April ninth, with other fallen Hokies, so his memory will live on forever.