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.^[2][3]

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.^[5]

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.^[2][3]

His official Navy Cross citation reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Charles D. Mize (MCSN: 0-38729), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company G, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea from 23 to 27 September 1950. When the Company Commander was wounded and evacuated from Hill 216 in the vicinity of Seoul, First Lieutenant Mize immediately assumed command of the company and, by his alert and efficient leadership, successfully assisted the Battalion in carrying out its mission of protecting the FIRST Marine Division's left flank from counterattack and enemy infiltration. During a coordinated attack against heavy hostile resistance at the approaches to Seoul from 24 to 27 September, he repeatedly exposed himself to accurate and intensive hostile small-arms, automatic and mortar fire in order to direct the fire of his company and to encourage his men. Refusing to be evacuated when wounded in action, he continued to lead his company in overrunning enemy positions and seizing the desired objectives. In a later attack against the enemy through the streets of Seoul, he led his company in capturing the Government General Palace in the face of heavy resistance and hoisted the United States flag over the building. His courage, outstanding leadership and loyal devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Mize and the United States Naval Service.^[6]

He rejoined his company soon thereafter and led it during the winter campaign in November of that year in Chosin Reservoir. Mize and his company reached the village of Yudam-ni, deep in the North Korean territory, but after People's Republic of China launched a counteroffensive, they were ordered to retreat. Only 40 Marines left in his company, exhausted, hungry and suffering greatly in the subzero cold, but Mize led them to the port of Hungnam during a 10-day, 70-mile journey, taking their wounded with them. They were subsequently evacuated to the safety and Mize was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his efforts during the Hungnam evacuation.^[1][2][3][7]

Mize and his company were subsequently ordered to the area near Masan, for rest and he was promoted to the rank of captain in January 1951. He remained with his company until the beginning of March 1951 and then returned to the United States. Mize also received another three Navy Presidential Unit Citations during his service in Korea.^[1]

Vietnam War

Upon graduation in June 1968, Mize was ordered to South Vietnam and attached to the U.S. Military Assistance Command under General William Westmoreland as deputy director, Combat Operations Center. He was stationed in Da Nang during Tet Offensive and transferred to the staff of IV Corps (Delta Military Assistance Command) under Major General George S. Eckhardt in November 1968.^[1][2]

Within this command, he served as operations officer at the headquarters in Can Tho and was responsible for the planning of the military operations in the Mekong Delta. He served in this capacity until July 1969 and received the Legion of Merit by the army. Mize was also decorated with his second Bronze Star Medal for a helicopter rescue of wounded troops while under enemy fire and Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st Class by the Government of South Vietnam.^[1][3]

General's duty

Following his return to the United States and vacation with his family, Mize was attached to the Marine Corps Development and Education Command at Quantico and served under Lieutenant General Lewis J. Fields as commanding officer of schools demonstration troops until his promotion to the rank of brigadier general in October 1970.^[1]

He was subsequently transferred to the Headquarters Marine Corps for duty as special assistant in recruiting matters to the deputy director of personnel. Mize served in Washington until July 1971 and then was ordered back to the Marine Corps Base Quantico for duty as deputy base commander for support under Lieutenant General William G. Thrash. He received his second star upon the promotion to major general in July 1973 and assumed duty as director, Office of Naval Disability Evaluation. In this capacity, Mize was responsible for the determination if Marines and other military personnel are capable of continuing to perform military duties.^[1]

Mize received his final assignment in June 1975, when he was ordered to Camp Pendleton, California for duty as commanding general, 1st Marine Division. He was tasked with the reconstitution of the division, following its return from Vietnam. Many marines under his command were committing crimes or other minor offenses and Commandant Louis H. Wilson ordered "purging the Corps of its bad apples." During his tenure as commanding general, Mize discharged thousands of marines from his 18,000 division for everything from initiating riots to dealing drugs.^[5]

He then focused on programs for attaining the increased combat readiness and also ordered extensive amphibious training. Mize was decorated with his second Legion of Merit for his service with the division and was succeeded by Major General Edward A. Wilcox on July 29, 1976. He retired two days later completing 32 years of active service.