Da Hawg Frog Blog

Lewis L. Millet was born December 15, 1920 in Mechanic Falls, Maine. He grew up in South Dartmouth, Mass. Colonel Millett died November 14, 2009 in Loma Linda, California. During the colonel’s colorful life he distinguished himself many times over.

When war broke out in Europe Millett joined the Army in 1940. He was determined to help in the fight against fascism. But when it looked like the United States was not going to enter the war he deserted, joined the Canadian army and was stationed in England. After America joined the war he turned himself into the American Embassy and rejoined the United States Army.

In 1942, while Millet was serving in London, the United States entered the war. Millet turned himself into the U.S. Embassy there. He was eventually assigned to the 1st Armored Division. As an antitank gunner in Tunisia, Millet earned the Silver Star after he jumped into a burning halftrack filled with ammunition, drove it away from allied soldiers and jumped to safety just before the vehicle exploded. He later shot down a German fighter plane with a vehicle-mounted machine gun.

As a sergeant serving in Italy during the war, his desertion to join the Canadian forces caught up to him. He was court-martialed, fined $52 and denied leave. A few weeks later he was awarded a battlefield commission. After the war, he joined the 103rd Infantry of the Maine National Guard, and attended college, until he was called back to active duty in 1949. (Source: Military.com)

While he was a company commander in Korea he read some captured documents that stated the communist feared cold steel. He was determined to become their worse nightmare.

“We had acquired some Chinese documents stating that Americans were afraid of hand-to-hand fighting and cold steel,” he told Military History. “When I read that, I thought, ‘I’ll show you, you sons of bitches!’ ” (Source: Washington Post)

It was during the Korean war that he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was credited with leading the last full fledged bayonet charge in American history. The first since Cold Harbor 1864.

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. (Source: Congressional Medal of Honor Organization)

Colonel Millett served for 35 years. During Vietnam he was a part of the Phoenix operation. He would later found the Royal Thai Army Ranger School with help of the 46th Special Forces Company. Millett also earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit and four Purple Hearts during his military career.

He was a warrior. Rest in Peace.