Lewis Milett

Born: December 15, 1920
Mechanic Falls, Maine

War: Korea

Rank: Captain, US Army, Company E , 27th Infantry Regiment

Location of action: Vicinity of Soam-Ni Korea

Date of action: February 7, 1951

Medal received from: President Harry Truman July 15, 1951

Official Citation:
Captain 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. Captain Millett ordered the 3d 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 Capt. Millett 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.

Bio:
In 1940, Lewis Millet left high school at the end of his junior year to enlist in the Army. Increasingly upset with German aggression in Europe and the Nazis' treatment of jews and anxious to get into combat, he deserted the Army at the start of World War II and went to Canada to join the Canadian Army. Millet was fighting overseas with the Canadians when the United States entered the war. When American troops began arriving in England in 1942, Millet took advantage of a provision that allwoed American citizens serving with an allied country to transfer into the u.S. military.

Millet went the American Embassy and asked to be transferred back and was placed with the 1st Armored Division in North Africa. By the time his records caught up with him Millet had earned a silver star, a bronze star, was a buck sergeant, had spent six months in Africa, six months in Italy. Millett has served in three wars – WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He received the Medal of Honor for action during the Korean war.

Of Note:
Lewis Millett wrote the following poem in memory of soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, especially his youngest son, and the 347 people who were killed returning from a peacekeeping mission in the Sinai.