Marines

Photo Information

A memorial was placed at the front of the Combat Center’s Catholic Chapel March 26, 2011to honor retired Marine Maj. Mitchell Arnzen during his memorial ceremony.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Sarah Anderson

Combat Center remembers retired Marine, dedicated employee

1 Apr 2011 | Lance Cpl. Sarah Anderson Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

Friends and family gathered for a specially-dedicated mass at the Combat Center’s Catholic Chapel March 26, 2011to honor a Marine who continued serving the Corps even into retirement.

The 45-year-old retired Maj. Mitchell K. Arnzen was the site director for the Combat Center’s Marine Air Ground Task Force Integrated Systems Training Center when he passed away due to complications following surgery in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 21, 2011.

The service was conducted by Mitchell’s brother, Mark Arnzen, a priest currently leading a church in San Jose, Calif.

“The Marine Corps was his life,” Mark said. “[Conducting the service] was a way of honoring him and the Corps he was so fond of.”

Mitchell was born the sixth of nine children Dec. 2, 1964, in Cottonwood, Idaho.

Mitchell enlisted in 1983, and served as a Harrier engine mechanic and plane captain. He reached the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1988. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1992 and received his commission that same year.

Arnzen retired after 20 years of active duty service as the executive officer for 1st Tank Battalion in 2008.

“Mitchell was a tremendous Marine and he did a superb job taking care of his Marines,” said Mike Hawkins, the director of Training and Education, Command and Control Center of Excellence, out of Quantico, Va., who closely worked with Mitchell. “He was responsible for training Marines, and he took his job very seriously. We are very proud of him, and he will be sorely missed.”

Arnzen’s personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, with gold star in lieu of second award; Meritorious Service Medal, with gold star in lieu of second award; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, with gold star in lieu of second award; Combat Action Ribbon and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

The special mass included communion, worship and a time of remembrance.

Mitchell is survived by his mother, Mariel Arnzen; eight siblings; his girlfriend, Jennifer Hare, and a “crusty old Lab” named Lucky Dawg.


Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms