Medal of Honor: Lewis L. Millett – U.S. Army – Korean War

Name: Lewis L. Millett
Rank: Captain
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment
Place: Vicinity of Soam-Ni, Korea
Entered Service At: Mechanic Falls, Maine
Born: 15 December 1920, Mechanic Falls, Maine

Summary of Action

During a bitter fight near Soam-Ni, Captain Lewis L. Millett was personally leading Company E in an assault against a strongly held enemy position when he saw the 1st Platoon pinned down by intense small-arms, automatic, and antitank fire.

Recognizing that hesitation would mean defeat, Capt. Millett ordered the 3d Platoon forward and placed himself at the head of the two platoons. With fixed bayonet, he led a direct uphill charge through withering enemy fire. In the savage, close-quarters fighting that followed, Capt. Millett personally bayoneted two enemy soldiers and continued forward without pause, hurling grenades, clubbing and bayoneting the enemy, and shouting encouragement to drive his men onward.

The ferocity of the hand-to-hand assault carried the Americans to the crest of the hill. Inspired by their commander’s fearless leadership, the soldiers of Company E stormed into the enemy position, using their bayonets with devastating effect and forcing the enemy to flee in complete disorder.

During the assault, Capt. Millett was wounded by grenade fragments. He refused evacuation and remained with his men until the objective was fully secured.

Medal of Honor Citation

MILLETT, LEWIS L.

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.