Lewis Millett was born on December 15, 1920 in Mechanic Falls, Maine. He joined
the National Guard at the age of seventeen with the 101st field Artillery Massachusetts
national Guard. In 1940, PFC Millett enlisted in the Army Air Corps serving as a air
gunner. After two year, he joined the Canadian Army. In 1942, Millett enlisted in the
Army where he served with the 1st Armored division. After serving in various
positions and attaining the rank of sergeant, Millett received a battlefield commission.
Following World War Two, Millett joined the 103rd Infantry, Maine National Guard.
He served with the 103rd for four years before joining the 27th Infantry Regiment
"Wolfhounds" in Japan.
As a member of the Wolfhound Regiment, Millett deployed to Korea where he served
with valor and distinction. While serving as commander of Easy Company he led a
bayonet charge against heavily fortified enemy positions earning the nations highest
military award, the Medal of Honor. Easy Company killed forty-seven while another
sixty had reportedly been wounded and evacuated off the hill during the battle. Of the
dead, eighteen died of bayonet wounds.
following Captain Millett's service in Korea, he was assigned to the Continental Army
command as Aide de Camp and then as Training and Operations Officer for the
Military Advisor Group. In 1956, Millett attended the Infantry Officers Advanced
Course and Ranger School as a Major. Following his stay at Fort Benning he was
assigned to the 101st Airborne Division where he founded the Recondo School.
Millett became heavily involved in the Special Operations community following his
service with the 101st. He helped establish the Vietnamese Ranger School and the
Commando training program in Laos before moving to the Command and General
Staff College. Colonel Millett retired in 1973 after serving as the Deputy Commander
of the 2nd Corps.
Colonel Millett's awards include the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross,
Silver Star, Legion of Merit (with 2 oak leaf clusters), Air Medal (with numeral 2),
Purple Heart (with 3 oak leaf clusters), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam
Campaign Ribbon among others.
Medal of Honor Citation
MILLETT, LEWIS L.
RANK AND ORGANIZATION: Captain, U.S. Army,
Company E,
27th Infantry Regiment.
BORN: 15 December 1920, Mechanic Falls, Maine.
ENTERED SERVICE AT:Mechanic Falls, Maine.
PLACE AND DATE: Vicinity of Soam-Ni, Korea, 7 February 1951.
CITATION:
Capt. Millett, Company E, 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, automatic, and antitank fire. Capt. Millett ordered the 3d
Platoon forward, placed himself at the head of the 2 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 fierce onslaught Capt. 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 Capt. 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.
