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Reading Verdict at End of Hectic Day
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MAJ. GEN. ROBERT L. HOWZE, of the military trial court which found Col. William Mitchell guilty, pictured reading the verdict. The jury of officers, reading from left to right in the back row, are Brig. Gen. Ewing E. Booth, Brig. Gen. F. R. McCoy, Brig. Gen. Edward L. King, Brig. Gen. Edwin B. Winans, Brig. Gen. George L. Irwin; and seated, reading from left to right, Maj. Gen. B. A. Poore, Maj. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Maj. Gen. Robert L. Howze, Col. Blanton Winship and Maj. Gen. Wiliam S. Graves. 

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'The Fight Will Go On'
Herald - 12/19/25

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COL. MITCHELL, smiling as he chatted with Maj. Gen. Robert L. Howze, immediately after that officer had read the verdict last night suspending him from the Army. The Colonel's friends see victory in the court's failure to order his dismissal as requested by the prosecution. 

Mitchell Sentence Most Remarkable in 60 Years
Herald - 12/18/25
The sentence imposed upon Col. Mitchell, it was stated by army officers here last night, is the most remarkable since the civil war. 
Although not holding rank or receiving a cent of pay or even being provided of five years, he will, at all times, be at the orders of the War Department, compelled to go whereever it deems best to send him. If he wears the uniform it must be without insignia of rank. 
The longest period of such sentence heretofore imposed is said to have been six months. 
SAVED BY WAR CROSS
The motive that actuated the court to impose such a sentence in preference to dismissal, is said to have been the fact that Col. Mitchell was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the War Department's decoration for gallantry in action. 
At the same time, it was pointed out, the verdict enables the War Department to keep Col. Mitchell under its thumb, so far as Col. Mitchell can be kept under any thumb. 
Being under War Department regulations, Mitchell can be further disciplined if he renews his attack upon conduct of the air service. Although under suspension, he could be court martialled again. 
CONFER TODAY ON STATUS 
Representative Reid, counsel for Col. Mitchell, stated last night he and his client would confer today to determine what effect the court martial sentence would have on Col. Mitchell's status. It was not clear in his mind, he said, whether the court's order depriving Col. Mitchell of his rank, command, duty, pay and allowances also would bar him from engaging in any commercial activity during the period of sentence. 
Neither was it clear to Reid whether the sentence would stand as a bar to Col. Mitchell's retirement from the Army at the end of two years, when he would have reached retirement age or would his retirement be held up until the sentence was served. 
Another moot question is whether the sentence would prohibit Col. Mitchell entering politics as a candidate for office and public vindication.