Lewis Millett
Lewis L. Millett | |
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U.S. Army | |
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| Rank | Colonel |
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| Awards | (2) |
Lewis Lee Millett Sr. (December 15, 1920 – November 14, 2009) was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading the last major American bayonet charge.
He enlisted in the
During the
Early life
Millett was born on December 15, 1920, in
World War II
While still attending high school in Dartmouth, he enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard in 1938 and joined his uncle's old regiment, the 101st Field Artillery. In 1940, he joined the United States Army Air Corps and entered gunnery school. When it appeared that the U.S. would not enter World War II, Millett, eager to fight, deserted in mid-1941.
Assigned to the 27th Armored Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Millett served in Tunisia as an anti-tank gunner during Operation Torch.[2][3] During an engagement there, he drove a burning ammunition-filled half-track away from Allied soldiers, jumping to safety just before it exploded. For this action, he was awarded the U.S. military's third-highest decoration, the Silver Star. He later shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane using half-track mounted machine guns.[3]
Millett, by then a sergeant, next took part in the
Korean War
After World War II, Millett attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, for three years before being called up to serve in the Korean War.
On 5 December 1950 Capt Millett was flying as an observer in a Stinson L-5 Sentinel when Capt J.F.O. Davis DFC, 2 Sqn SAAF attached to 18 Fighter Bomber Wing, crash landed his F-51D Mustang in North Korea. The pilot of the L-5 landed on a road near the downed Mustang and Millett gave up his seat to Capt Davis. This was an outstanding act of bravery as the area was surrounded by enemy troops. When the pilot of the L-5 returned to the scene, no trace of Millett could be found. Just before dark the L-5 returned, found and picked Millet up. [5]
By February 7, 1951, Millett was serving in South Korea as a captain and commander of Company E of the 2nd Battalion,
For his leadership during the assault, Millett was awarded the
Vietnam War
After the Korean War, Millett attended
Millett retired from the military in 1973 at the rank of colonel.[1] He later stated that he retired because he felt the U.S. had "quit" in Vietnam.[3]
Later years and family
After his military career, Millett served as a deputy sheriff in
Millett's first marriage, to Virginia Young, ended in divorce. During the festivities surrounding his Medal of Honor award in 1951, he met Winona Williams. They later married and had four children: Lewis Lee Jr., Timothy, John, and Elizabeth. By the time of Winona Millett's death in 1993, the couple had been married over 40 years.
Millett died of congestive heart failure on November 14, 2009, one month short of his 89th birthday.[3] He died at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, California, after being hospitalized four days earlier. He had experienced various health problems over the last few years of his life, including diabetes.[1] His funeral was held December 5, 2009 at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California and his grave can be found in section 2, grave #1910.[2][13]
Awards and honors
Millett's military decorations include the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, three Bronze Star Medals, four Purple Hearts, and three Air Medals.[2]
His other United States military awards include the
His international military awards include the
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Medal of Honor citation
Millett's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
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.[10]
Other honors
At Osan Air Base in South Korea, "Millett Road" is named after Colonel Millett. It runs up Hill 180, where the Battle of Bayonet Hill / Hill 180 Memorial is located. An annual memorial ceremony is hosted at this site under the lead of the US Army 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and the Colonel Lewis L. Millett Hill 180 Memorial VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) Post 8180.[15] This hill was previously believed to be the location of where he led the legendary bayonet charge. Additional research supports that the location of the battle was actually north of Suwon, near Anyang.[7][8]
A Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Millet for Veterans Day in 1999, recognizing him as one of five Medal of Honor recipients from the Southern California desert area.[16]
In 2009, a park in San Jacinto, California, was named in honor of Millett.[1]
At the US Army Infantry Museum at Fort Moore, Georgia, one of the life size dioramas depicting notable Infantry actions is of Millett's bayonet charge up Hill 180 during the Korean War. Millett is clearly visible leading the charge preparing to bayonet a North Korean soldier.[17]
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- ^ The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, California. Archived from the originalon November 19, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lawrence, J.M. (November 19, 2009). "Lewis Millett; awarded Medal of Honor after bayonet charge". The Boston Globe. Boston. Archived from the original on November 23, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bernstein, Adam (November 18, 2009). "Daring soldier was awarded Medal of Honor". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- ^ "$52 in 1944 → 2022 | Inflation Calculator". www.in2013dollars.com. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
- ^ South African Military History Society - Military History Journal Vol 4 No 3 - June 1978 The History of No 2 Squadron SAAF, in the Korean War. Col P.M.j. McGregor, SM
- ^ There is a controversy about location of Hill 180
- ^ a b "Hallowed Ground Bayonet Hill, South Korea | HistoryNet". historynet.com. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-21.
- ^ a b "Commentary: Not our Hill 180". Osan Air Base. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
- ^ Murphy, David (2019-07-11). "A TALE OF TWO HILLS: THE MYTH AND REALITY OF THE BATTLE OF BAYONET HILL". US Army War College War Room. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
- ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients – Korean War". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- ^ "Military History: Interview with Colonel Lewis L. Millett". 12 June 2006.
- ^ "Lewis Millett". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
- ^ "Veterans Administration Grave Locator". Archived from the original on 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2013-01-31.
- ^ Frum, David (23 October 2012). "The U.S. Army's Last Bayonet Charge". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- ^ Ham IV, Walter T. "Battle of Hill 180 remembered on 60th anniversary". USFK General News. Eighth Army Public Affairs. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
- ^ Palm Springs Walk of Stars: By Date Dedicated Archived 2012-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "US Army National Infantry Museum". usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/160348-national-infantry-museum-fort-benning-ga/. 17 November 2012.
- Kirchner, Paul (2009). More of the Deadliest Men Who Ever Lived. Paladin Press. ISBN 978-1-58160-690-4.
External links
- "Lewis Millett". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- Lewis Millett at Find a Grave
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