Lewis L. Millett

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Lewis L. Millett
born 1920

Place of birth	Mechanic Falls, Maine
Allegiance	U.S. Army
Unit	Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit (3) Purple Heart (4)

Lewis L. Millett (born 1920) was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading the last major American bayonet charge. He was born in Mechanic Falls, Maine in 1920 and was a 1949 graduate of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Millett served during World War II and the Korean War.

Millett's official citation read: "Captain Millett distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action in the vicinity of Soam-Ni, Korea on February 7, 1951. While personally leading his company in an attack against a strongly held position he noted that the 1st platoon was pinned down by small-arms, automatic, and antitank fire. Captain Millett ordered the 3rd platoon forward, placed himself at the head of the two platoons, and, with fixed bayonet, led the assault up the fire-swept hill. In the fierce charge Capt. Millett bayoneted 2 enemy soldiers and boldly continued on, throwing grenades, clubbing and bayoneting the enemy, while urging his men forward by shouting encouragement. Despite vicious opposing fire, the whirlwind hand-to-hand assault carried to the crest of the hill. His dauntless leadership and personal courage so inspired his men that they stormed into the hostile position and used their bayonets with such lethal effect that the enemy fled in wild disorder. During this onslaught Captain Millett was wounded by grenade fragments but refused evacuation until the objective was taken and firmly secured. The superb leadership, conspicuous courage, and consummate devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Millett were directly responsible for the successful accomplishment of a hazardous mission and reflect the highest credit on himself and the heroic traditions of the military service."

Colonel (Ret.) Lewis L. Millett, one of the four surviving Maine Medal of Honor recipients, currently resides in Idyllwild, California (2005).

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United States of America's Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients and Their Official Citations, provided by the Office of the Adjutant General, State of Maine. (public domain) Maine Site