Millett, Lewis Lee, Sr. "Red"

Date of birth:: December 15th, 1920 (Mechanic Falls/Maine, United States)
Date of death:: November 14th, 2009 (Loma Linda/California, United States)
Nationality:: American

Biography

Career:
1938: 101st Field Artillery, Massachusetts National Guard;
1940: Gunnery School, United States Army Air Corps;
1941: Royal Regiment Canadian Artillery;
1942: 27th Armored Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division;
?: Bates College, Lewiston;
1951: Commander, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment;
?: Ranger School, Fort Benning, Georgia;
?: Intelligence Officer, 101st Airborne Division;
?: Commanding Officer, Army Security Agency training center, Fort Devens, Massachusetts

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Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Period:: Korean War (1950-1953)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: Company E, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: August 2nd, 1951

Citation:
"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.["

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 69 (August 2, 1951).

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Korean War (1950-1953)

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant
Unit:: Anti-tank Gunner 27th Armored Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division

During an engagement in Tunesia, he drove a burning ammunition-filled half-track away from Allied soldiers, jumping to safety just before it exploded.

Place and date action Medjez-el-Bab in Tunisia.