RIP: Col Lewis L. Millett, Sr.

Lewis L Millett, Sr
15 Dec 1920 – 14 Nov 2009

ZUI this article from the Riverside (California) Press-Enterprise:

Medal of Honor recipient Lewis Millett of Idyllwild died Saturday morning at Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center in Loma Linda. He was 88.

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Col. Millett was born in Mechanic Falls, Maine, on Dec. 15, 1920. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940 and served as an air gunner, then joined the Canadian Army when it appeared the United States would not enter World War II.

"He joined the Royal Canadian Army after President Roosevelt said in a speech that no American boy would fight on foreign soil," [family spokesman Mike] Goldware said.

He returned to the U.S. Army in 1942 upon the United States' entrance into World War II and served in the 1st Armored Division. After making sergeant, he was awarded a battlefield commission.

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He retired as a colonel in 1973 after a 31-year career in which he served in World War II, Korea War and the Vietnam War.

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LEWIS LEE MILLETT

Captain, US Army; Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment

Born: 15 December 1920, Mechanic Falls, Maine
Died: Loma Linda, California, 14 November 2009

Citation: Capt. Millett, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action [in the vicinity of Soam-Ni, Korea, on 7 February 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. 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.