Born in Binghamton, New York, Mitchell attended the Binghamton schools and had three years of college training at the American Law Institute and Columbia University, New York City.

In 1937 Mitchell purchased a half interest in a food marketing and brokerage company and served as president.

Following his success in the food service industry he served in the United States Navy from November 1942 until his discharge as a lieutenant commander in January 1946, having been commanding officer of Underwater Demolition Teams in the Pacific Theater for two years.

The original argument was due to Congressman Mitchell's objection to the abusive cracks that Boggs was making about the Nixon Administration.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress