Lewis Millett
| Lewis L. Millett | |
|---|---|
Millett in 1985
|
|
| Born |
December 15, 1920 Mechanic Falls, Maine |
| Died | November 14, 2009 (aged 88) Loma Linda, California |
| Place of burial | Riverside National Cemetery Riverside, California |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
Army National Guard United States Army Air Corps Canadian Army United States Army |
| Years of service | 1938–1940 (National Guard) 1940–1941 (US Army Air Corps) 1941–1942 (Canadian Army) 1942–1973 (US Army) |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit |
27th Infantry Regiment 25th Infantry Division 1st Armored Division |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star (3) Purple Heart (4) |
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 into the National Guard while still in high school and then in 1940 joined the United States Army Air Corps. When he thought that the United States would not participate in World War II he deserted and went to Canada with a friend where they joined the military and were sent to London. The U.S. did enter the war and by the time he made it to Europe they were in the fight so he transferred to the U.S. Army. While serving with the Army in World War II, he received a Silver Star for driving a burning ammunition truck away from a group of soldiers, before it exploded.
During the Korean War, he was awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. The citation explains that he led a bayonet charge against the enemy. He later served in the Vietnam War as well. He retired from the Army in 1973 and died of congestive heart failure in 2009.
Millett was born on December 15, 1920, in Mechanic Falls, Maine. He grew up in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, having moved there with his mother after his parents divorced and his mother remarried. His grandfather had served in the American Civil War and an uncle fought in World War I with the 101st Field Artillery Regiment of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
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