I met him at Fort Benning during the initial Airborne Memorial Walk ceremonies - he was a character and will be missed.
His bio:
Colonel (Retired) Lewis Millett was born on December 15, 1920 in Mechanic Falls, Maine. He joined the National Guard at the age of seventeen with the 101st Field Artillery, Massachusetts National Guard. In 1940, PFC Millett enlisted in the Army Air Corps serving as an air gunner. After two years, he joined the Canadian Army. In 1942, Millett enlisted in the Army where he served with the 1st Armored Division. After serving in various positions and attaining the rank of Sergeant, Millett received a battlefield commission. Following World War II, Millett joined the 103rd Infantry, Maine National Guard. He served with the 103rd for four years before joining the 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds" in Japan.
As a member of the Wolfhound Regiment, Millett deployed to Korea where he served with valor and distinction. While serving as commander of Easy Company he led a bayonet charge against heavily fortified enemy positions, earning the nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Easy Company killed forty-seven, and another sixty were reported wounded. Of the dead, eighteen died of bayonet wounds.
Following Captain Millett’s service in Korea, he was assigned to the Continental Army Command as Aide de Camp and then as Training and Operations Officer for the Military Advisor Group. In 1956, Millett attended the Infantry Officer’s Advanced Course and Ranger School as a Major. Following his stay at Fort Benning he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division where he founded the Recondo School.
Millett became heavily involved in the Special Operations community following his service with the 101st. He helped establish the Vietnamese Ranger School and the Commando training program in Laos before moving to the Command and General Staff College. Colonel Millett retired in 1973 after serving as the Deputy Commander of the 2d Corps.
Colonel Millett’s awards include the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit (with 2 oak leaf clusters), Air Medal (with numeral 2), Purple Heart (with 3 oak leaf clusters), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam Campaign Ribbon among others.
Richard'd $.02
