Lewis L. Millett

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Lewis L. Millett
Born 1920
Lewis L. Millett;
Place of birth Mechanic Falls, Maine
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Colonel
Unit Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Awards Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star
Purple Heart (4)
Croix de Guerre (France)
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry

Lewis L. Millett (born 1920) was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading the last major American bayonet charge.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Millett served during World War II and the Korean War for seven years. Lewis Millett was born on December 15, 1920 in Mechanic Falls, Maine. He joined the National Guard when he was 17 years old. In 1940, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he served as an air gunner; he joined the Canadian Army when it appeared that the U.S. would not enter the war.[1] In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with the 1st Armored Division. During World War II, he earned Bronze Star and after reaching the rank of sergeant, he was awarded a battlefield commission. After the War, he joined the 103rd Infantry of the Maine National Guard.[1]

He graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1949.

During the Korean War, as Company Commander of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Division, near Soam-Ni, Korea, Millett lead his men in "the most complete bayonet charge by American troops since the Civil War."[2] On February 7, 1951, Millett led his men up Hill 180 as part of Operation Punch. Throwing grenades, turning back to call for more firepower when he saw the ground ahead crawling with Chinese, he seemed constantly upright and exposed standing under fire, urging the others on. At the crest he took shrapnel from a grenade. The men saw him silhouetted on the skyline and heard him now, shouting "Use grenades and cold steel!" Of 47 enemy dead, 18 had been killed by the bayonet. For his courage and leadership in the action, Captain Millett was awarded the Medal of Honor.[2]

Millett was presented the Medal of Honor on July 5, 1951 by President Harry S. Truman in a White House ceremony.[3]

In 1956, after the Korean War, Millet attended Ranger School. He was then assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. Millett retired in 1973.

Colonel Millett's awards include the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit (with 2 oak leaf clusters), Bronze Star, Air Medal (with numeral 2), Purple Heart (with 3 oak leaf clusters), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam Campaign Ribbon among others.[4]

In 2005, Colonel Lewis L. Millett (retired) was one of the four surviving Maine Medal of Honor recipients.

[edit] Honors and awards

At Osan Air Base in South Korea, "Millett Road" is named after Colonel Millett running up Hill 180, the hill where he led the legendary bayonet charge

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank: Captain, U.S. Army
Service: Company Commander - Company E, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division
Place and date: Vicinity of Hill 180, Soam-Ni, Korea, 7 February 1951.
Entered service at: Mechanic Falls, Maine. Born: 15 December 1920, Mechanic Falls, Maine.
G.O. No.: 69, 2 August 1951.[2]

Citation:

Captain Millett distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. 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 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, he bayoneted two 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 fierce 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.[2][5]

[edit] See also

United States Army Portal

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Lewis Lee Red Millett. HomeOfHeroes.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
  2. ^ a b c d National Infantry Museum: Case 23. U.S. Army Infantry. Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
  3. ^ Lewis Lee Red Millett, Captain, U.S. Army (MS Word). U.S. Army Ranger Recipients of the Medal of Honor. HomeOfHeroes, Inc. (2002). Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
  4. ^ Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Captain Lewis Lee Millett, US Army. HomeOfHeroes.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
  5. ^ "Millett, Lewis L.". Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War. CMH, U.S. Army (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-30.

[edit] References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Army.
  • United States of America's Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients and Their Official Citations, Office of the Adjutant General, State of Maine. (public domain) Maine Site