U.S. Marine Corps Capt. David Seth Mitchell, a 2001 graduate of Virginia Tech and an alumnus of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, was killed Monday while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was 30.

Mitchell is the fourth member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2001 lost since graduation.

Mitchell was from Loveland, Ohio, and graduated from Loveland High School in 1997. When he entered the corps, Mitchell was a member of Echo Company and then rose to become the executive officer of Golf Company during his senior year. He earned a degree in English from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and was a member of the German Club as well as the male member-at-large for the Class of 2001 and a member of the Ring Design Committee.

“As a company executive officer, Seth played a key role in the training of the members of the Class of 2004 during their demanding first year in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. I vividly remember that he was an enthusiastic cadet and that he always had a big smile on his face,” said retired Maj. Gen. Jerry Allen, U.S. Air Force, commandant of cadets for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. “Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, and fellow Marines.”

Sean Thorne an alumnus of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2002 remarked, “I, and many are extremely saddened by the news of the passing of a great person, cadet, and officer in Seth Mitchell. As an Echo Company cadet, my buds and I are proud to say that Seth had a tremendous impact on our leadership development both as a cadet and as a college student.”

Maj. Christopher M. Chown, U.S. Marine Corps and Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 1996 e-mailed from Masan Air Base Kyrgyzstan and shared that Mitchell was a member of HMLA-367 “Scarface” squadron, and was one of six Hokies in the unit, whose tail letters are coincidentally “Victor Tango,” or ‘VT.’

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Regiment conducted a moment of silence for Mitchell at the Tuesday morning formation. Later that day, the Marine Raiders Company conducted an Honor Detail to place a memorial wreath at the Cenotaph on the Virginia Tech War Memorial in Mitchell’s honor.

A Dedication Ceremony is tentatively scheduled for April 9, 2010, and more details will be posted on the corps website and the corps alumni website as they are available. The Pylons are a representation of Virginia Tech’s values. The values engraved on the eight pylons are, (from left to right): Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

To date, Virginia Tech has lost eight former students who were killed in action during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2001 alumnus 2nd Lt. Jeffrey J. Kaylor, U.S. Army was killed in April 2003;
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2001 alumnus 1st Lt. Timothy E. Price, U.S. Army was killed in September 2004;
  • Virginia Tech Class of 2006 member Spc. Nicholas C. Mason, U.S. Army was killed in December 2004 while on a military leave of absence from the university;
  • Virginia Tech Class of 1995 member Staff Sgt. Nathaniel J. Nyren, U.S. Army was killed in December 2004;
  • Virginia Tech Class of 2002 alumnus Cpl. Christopher L. Weaver, U.S. Marine Corps was killed in January 2005;
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2001 alumnus Lt. Nick Brantley, U.S. Navy was killed in September 2005; and
  • Virginia Tech Class of 2003 alumnus Staff Sgt. Jesse Clowers, U.S. Army was killed in August 2007.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has been producing military and corporate leaders since the university was founded in 1872. It is one of just two remaining military corps within a large, primarily civilian university. The corps holds its members to the highest standards of loyalty, honor, integrity, and self-discipline. In return, cadets achieve high academic success and a long-lasting camaraderie with fellow members. Virginia Tech, the most comprehensive university in Virginia, is dedicated to quality, innovation, and results to the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.

See photos of Tuesday’s wreath dedication.

Read related Virginia Tech News stories:

Learn more about the Gobble de Art HokieBird honoring U.S. Navy Lt. Thomas N. “Nick” Brantley in Virginia Tech News Campus Snapshots:

Those in the university community who may wish assistance or desire counseling support may contact:

Referrals to a campus minister may be done through the Dean of Students Office at (540) 231-3787.

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