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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Lewis L Millett ~ May 4, 2015
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

Posted on 05/03/2015 5:03:01 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska


Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!
 
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!
 
 
~ Hall of Heroes ~

Lewis L. Millett
Story from this website.

ArmyPatch small   NavySeal small   Air Force Seal   Marines Seal small   Coast Guard Seal small (better)
Lewis Lee Millett, Sr. (December 15, 1920 – November 14, 2009) was a United States Army officer who was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading the last major American bayonet charge.


  Early life

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 great-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.


  World War II

While still attending high school in Dartmouth, he enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard and in 1938 joined his uncle's old regiment, the 101st Field Artillery. In 1940, he joined in 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. With a friend who had received a bad conduct discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, Millett hitchhiked to Canada and enlisted in the Canadian Army. Assigned to the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, he was sent to the United Kingdom, where he served as an anti-aircraft radar operator in London during the Blitz. By the time he arrived in the United Kingdom, the U.S. had entered the war; Millett transferred to the U.S. Army in 1942.

Assigned to the 27th Armored Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Millett served in Tunisia as an anti-tank gunner. 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 Me-109 fighter plane using half-track mounted machine guns.

Millett, by then a sergeant, next took part in the Allied invasion of Italy at Salerno and the subsequent Battle of Anzio. It was at this time that the U.S. Army discovered Millet's 1941 desertion; he was court-martialed, convicted, ordered to pay a $52 fine, and stripped of his leave privileges. Only weeks later, he was given a battlefield commission to second lieutenant.


  Korean War

After World War II, Millett attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, for three years before being called up to serve in Korea. Over a decade later, in the 1960s, he earned a bachelor's degree from Park College (now known as Park University) in Missouri.

By February 7, 1951, Millett was serving in Korea as a captain and commander of Company E of the 27th Infantry Regiment. On that day, near Soam-Ni, he led his company in an assault on an enemy position atop Hill 180. When one platoon became pinned down by heavy fire, Millett took another platoon forward, joined the two groups, and led them up the hill. Wielding his bayonet and throwing hand grenades, Millett yelled encouragement to his soldiers throughout the hand to hand fight. Upon reaching the top of the hill, his men stormed the enemy position and forced the opposing soldiers to withdraw. Although wounded in the shin by grenade fragments, Millett refused to be evacuated until the position was secured.



For his leadership during the assault, Millett was awarded the Medal of Honor. The medal was formally presented to him by President Harry S. Truman in July 1951. He was also awarded the Army's second-highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross, for leading another bayonet charge in the same month.


  Vietnam War

After the Korean War, Millett attended Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as an intelligence officer and later served in Vietnam as a military advisor to the controversial Phoenix Program, which aimed to root out and kill Viet Cong sympathizers. He also helped found a "Recondo" (reconnaissance-commando) school to train small units for service in Vietnam. In the mid-1960s, he commanded the Army Security Agency training center at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

Millett retired from the military in 1973 at the rank of colonel. He later stated that he retired because he felt the U.S. had "quit" in Vietnam.


  Later years and family

After his military career, Millett worked as a deputy sheriff in Trenton, Tennessee. He eventually moved to Idyllwild, California, where he would remain for the rest of his life. He regularly appeared at events celebrating veterans, both in the Riverside County area and elsewhere around the country.


Millett married Virginia Young; the couple later divorced. His second marriage was to Winona Williams, with whom he had four children: Lewis Lee Jr., John, Timothy, and Elizabeth. His son John, a staff sergeant in the Army, was among more than 240 U.S. military members killed in 1985 when their airplane, Arrow Air Flight 1285, crashed in Gander, Newfoundland, while carrying them home from peacekeeping duty in the Middle East. Millett's wife Winona died in 1993.

Millett died of congestive heart failure on November 14, 2009, one month short of his 89th birthday. 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. His funeral will be held on December 5 at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.


  Awards and honors

Millett's military awards include the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, two Legion of Merits, three Bronze Stars, four Purple Hearts, and three Air Medals.

At Osan Air Base in South Korea, "Millett Road" is named after Colonel Millett running up Hill 180, the hill where he led the legendary bayonet charge.


In 2009, a park in San Jacinto, California, was named in honor of Millett.
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.



Thank you sir, for your service and sacrifice for our country!

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks.

Millett retired from the military in 1973 at the rank of colonel. He later stated that he retired because he felt the U.S. had "quit" in Vietnam.

Same as now with WOT.

81 posted on 05/04/2015 4:37:00 AM PDT by Jimmy Valentine's brother (A black mother should not have to fear her son's death whem he commits a felony.)
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To: beachn4fun

((HUGS))Good Monday morning, Beach. How’s it going?


82 posted on 05/04/2015 4:54:48 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: E.G.C.

Good morning EG ((HUGS))

I just got back from a good walk; enjoying the sunrise.

Howz it with you? Have a good weekend?


83 posted on 05/04/2015 4:58:41 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Hooked Too, the sequel - starring Raina and Connor)
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To: beachn4fun
Morning Beachie!

I didn't do a lot other than relax this weekend. I have today off too and will do likewise.

It looks like we're having similar weather today, I've already had to use my A/C this spring.

OK, have a great day Beachie!

84 posted on 05/04/2015 5:27:17 AM PDT by PROCON (CRUZing into 2016 with Ted!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Still a Itsy Bitsy bit of pain


85 posted on 05/04/2015 5:42:13 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: beachn4fun
It went OK. Bo and I have been having a great time out at the lake.

Been checking my Ford Ranger pickup. Ever since I filled it up last Friday it requires two turns of the key to start first thing in the morning, but then after that just one turn. Not sure if it's because of the weather or maybe a cold engine or maybe a bad fuel pump but it's still running OK. Going to wait until later today when it's lake time for me and Bo to see if it takes two turns or maybe just one because it's warm enough out there.

Also my brother from Texas was in the hospital this weekend. They had to remove his gall bladder. He's doing much better now and should be out of the hospital today.

And, I did some lawnmowing yesterday. The forecast for much of this week is for rain. We'll see how this all works out.

86 posted on 05/04/2015 5:49:17 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: All; beachn4fun; Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; Arrowhead1952; SandRat; PROCON

Good Morning Everyone


*HUGS*
Hope Your Week Goes Well

87 posted on 05/04/2015 6:02:37 AM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless America And Our Troops)
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To: Publius

No True Scotsman would ever take the fifth!


88 posted on 05/04/2015 6:09:51 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: MEG33

Good morning MEG from sunny Eastern Washington, I’m off today and just chillin’.


89 posted on 05/04/2015 6:12:23 AM PDT by PROCON (CRUZing into 2016 with Ted!)
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To: trisham

My brother has the speakers now, but is searching for just the right amplifier for them.


90 posted on 05/04/2015 6:12:33 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: Publius

You take the fifth.

I’ll take the canolis.


91 posted on 05/04/2015 6:16:34 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: trisham

Check out Conor’s post #66


92 posted on 05/04/2015 6:17:32 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Our new guitar player is working out great! Not only does he LIKE to practice, he is supplying us with equipment and wants to help the other guitar player with her technique.


93 posted on 05/04/2015 6:18:51 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: PROCON

Blue skies here in Central Texas, too..Enjoy your day off, Pro.


94 posted on 05/04/2015 6:19:56 AM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless America And Our Troops)
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To: PROCON

Good morning Pro ((HUGS))

Oh boy, you have a Monday off. What are you doing up already, then?

We’re supposed to be in the 80s all week. I am hoping NOT to have to use the a/c so soon. It’s only May for gosh sakes.

I was checking FB for latest family news, and it sound like there is some kind of bug going around again. Or it could be pollen/allergies and they just don’t know it. I still haven’t seen what the symptoms are, so have to scan more.

Five more months. I’m keeping tabs on the hiring process. They haven’t advertised the job yet.

Well, back to work. Have a marvelicious Monday.


95 posted on 05/04/2015 6:32:07 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Hooked Too, the sequel - starring Raina and Connor)
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To: MEG33

Good morning Meg ((HUGS))

Another pretty graphic.

Hope your Monday is magical.


96 posted on 05/04/2015 6:35:08 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Hooked Too, the sequel - starring Raina and Connor)
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To: beachn4fun

Thank you, (((beachie))).


97 posted on 05/04/2015 6:38:23 AM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless America And Our Troops)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Good morning, Ma ((HUGS))
Hope your Monday is stress-free.

98 posted on 05/04/2015 7:44:15 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Hooked Too, the sequel - starring Raina and Connor)
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To: Kathy in Alaska


#50

99 posted on 05/04/2015 7:45:01 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Hooked Too, the sequel - starring Raina and Connor)
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To: beachn4fun

Oh look what I found

hehe


100 posted on 05/04/2015 7:45:19 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Hooked Too, the sequel - starring Raina and Connor)
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