Joseph B. mitchell (1915 - 1993) served as Chief Historian of the National Battle Monuments Commission. A graduate of West Point, the Field Artillery School at Ford Sill, and the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Mitchell commanded a field artillery battalion in Europe during World War II and was a regular Army officer until 1954, ultimately retiring with the rank of Colonel. He is also the author of Decisive Battles of the Civil War.