However, Mize left the school during the following year in order to accept appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

[4] Upon his graduation, Mize completed the Reserve Officers Course at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico in January 1945 and was ordered to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he joined 55th Replacement Draft as platoon leader.

Mize received the Purple Heart medal for his wounds and Navy Presidential Unit Citation for participation of his division in Okinawa.

Mize was transferred to the Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina in January 1946 and served as Commander of Military Police Company until June of that year.

[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.

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.

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.

[1] He then rejoined 3rd Marine Division under the command of major general Donald M. Weller and served as assistant operations officer until October 1962.

He was promoted to the rank of colonel in June of that year and ordered to the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania for instruction in August 1967.

[1] 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][3] 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.

He received his second star upon the promotion to major general in July 1973 and assumed duty as director, Office of Naval Disability Evaluation.

[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.