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Military History: Interview with Colonel Lewis L. MillettMilitary History | Single Page | 18 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post MH: How did you come to return to the Army? Subscribe Today
Millett: I was attending Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, when the Army called for volunteers to return to active duty. I was supposed to graduate in June 1949, and I volunteered for June, but they called me back in January, so I didn't get my degree. But later I got a degree in political science from Park College in Missouri and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Emerson College in Massachusetts. MH: Where did you go from there? Millett: Osaka, Japan, where I was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, and then to the 8th Field Artillery. I was service battery commander and I got the E Flag [for excellence] three times in a row for the best unit in all 'divarty' [division artillery]. And I was the only officer! One third of our unit was missing, you know. We only had two firing batteries instead of three. We were short-handed as hell. MH: What roles did you play after the Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950? Millett: Sometimes I was a forward observer and sometimes I was a liaison officer. MH: You are probably best known for earning the Medal of Honor near Soam-Ni, but you also were given a bottle of Scotch by No. 2 Squadron of the South African air force. What was that about? Millett: I was wounded in the battle in which Desiderio was killed. I couldn't walk, so I was flying in a Stinson L-5 observation plane with Captain James Lawrence of Pittsburgh — a fearless pilot — when we saw a South African fighter plane make a crash landing on a frozen rice paddy behind enemy lines. Lawrence landed the L-5 next to the downed plane and I gave the pilot, Captain John Davis of Pretoria, my seat. I stayed behind, and Lawrence returned for me after flying Davis to safety. He got back just in time. We took off in a hail of bullets from a Chinese patrol. The South Africans gave me a bottle of whiskey for that. It is ironic, when you consider the later battles over apartheid in South Africa, that Davis, who was white, was flying in support of the 24th Regiment, which at that time was a black outfit, when he was killed a couple of months later. MH: After you transferred to the infantry and became commander of E Company, did you make any changes? Millett: A few. I put two BARs [Browning Automatic Rifles] in each squad. And I loaded each man with four to six hand grenades, instead of the two they had been carrying. That was not a complete success, as some of the men felt they were already carrying too much. We compromised. Those who could carry more than two hand grenades did so. Those who couldn't didn't have to. MH: And you introduced bayonet training? Millett: Yes. We had acquired some Chinese documents stating that Americans were afraid of hand-to-hand fighting and cold steel. When I read that, I thought, 'I'll show you, you sons of bitches!' So I had every rifleman in the company fix his bayonet to his rifle and leave it fixed, 24 hours a day. I fixed my bayonet to my M1 and left it there. We had bayonet drill when we could. Now I had never had bayonet practice in the U.S. Army, so I had to recall my training with the Canadians to get any kind of technique at all. On the march, we'd attack bundles of straw in the fields; we'd practice thrusts into mud banks. MH: Soon after taking command of E Company, you were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. What were the circumstances? Millett: Three days before my Medal of Honor action, I led a bayonet assault against another hill. The enemy ran away before we got into their holes. We took the hill, though we had casualties. One of my lieutenants, Don Wilson — who now lives in upstate New York, I believe — was wounded in the chest. We went out under fire with a litter to evacuate him. One funny incident: A Stars and Stripes photographer with a movie camera was behind the tank where the aid station was. I asked him if he got any good pictures, but he said he had dropped his can of film and exposed it all. The guys on the tank told me he had done it deliberately so he wouldn't have to go out. Later I heard that he was awarded a Bronze Star for helping save Wilson's life. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Historical Conflicts
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18 Comments to “Military History: Interview with Colonel Lewis L. Millett”
I have alot of respect and admiration for Col.
Millet.I first meet him in March 1959 at the 101 ABN Recondo school I went through second class of the 187 that was one of the finest schools I went to.He was a maj at the time.I was the first NCO to use General Westmorelands H13 for airial recon of emeney positions for the night raid. GOD BLESS COL MILLET.
Retired ARMY
SFC Richard Merrick
COL MILLET recommend me for Ranger School
By Richard Merrick on Jun 20, 2008 at 5:16 pm
My name is Jon Mori Uyehara and I am helping my Dad Morishin (MORI) Uyehara from the US Army 25th Infrantry division 24th regiment in the Korean War to find back then his Capt. Millet Old Handlebar they called him , which I think this COL. MILLET is. My email is LOCOLBOYZ@AOL.COM If this is my dads Capt. Millet (Old Handlebar) from the Korean War can you pass the information on to him it will be greatly appreciated by a Korean War Veteran Thank You
By Jon Mori Uyehara on Jul 3, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Reporting for training early,on a Sunday morning in late summer of 1965, I was assigned to clean the office of the training commander of USASA at Fort Devins, MA.
With no one about, a nice sunny day and many interesting artifacts & mentoes about, I was first intrigued by the large bayonet prominently displayed on his desk. Then while dusting a display case, I picked up a starred teal blue ribboned medal and from behind me at the door came deep but gentle voice. "Do you know what that is son" he said, "no sir" was my reply. Returning the medal, as I turned, he replied "that is the Medal of Honor" and then, "carry on"! I thought that perhaps this graying man with a cane was a janitor or such. Well, I (we) met him again next morning in formation. It was Lewis Lee (Red) Mllett! His photo (with bayonet) still hangs in my office and many people ask if it is my father or grandfather, I reply "sort of", he had that effect on me.
Other stories of Col. Millett during the many, many weeks of training I can relate during those days of student prostests and such. Little did know that I'd be in RVN some months later, but I know that he served there and he always requested to go back. He once carved a line with his bayonet across our formation and asked all who would stand with him to give blood only for the troops in Nam. We all crossed that line and marched to the hospital, but there were too many of us for them to handle and he gave us all the day off. What a day!
I'll never forget Lewis L Millett, may God bless and keep him!
Sp5 Frederick Hansen RA12735871
By Frederick Hansen on Dec 10, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Interessante Informationen.
By lieben on Mar 3, 2009 at 5:24 am
Thank you for COL Millett's story on your web site. We are proud of his birth and rearing in Maine and his subsequent gallant service to our Nation.
A point of correction, at the time of his service in Korean, COL Millett was a member of HHC 2/103rd Infantry, Maine Army National Guard, not Mass. National Guard. *
RON ROUSSEL
CW5, U. S. Army Ret.
Curator
Maine Military Historical Society Museum
_______________
* Ref, Page 44, Adj. Gen. Report 1951
By Ronald L. Roussel, CW5, Curator, ME Mil Hist Soc Museum on Apr 26, 2009 at 11:24 am
I do remember Col. Millet. I also have seen his desk while I was at Ft Devons, Mass attending Morse Code Intercept School. I rember 1 occasion when I was at the post gym and watching some guys box. Col. Millet stepped up to watch and said "I want to see some blood" A great man
By T. Evans on Aug 11, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I met COL Millet at the MOH reunion in Green Bay, 2007. What an inspiration. Our NG unit was asked for volunteers to help assist for the convention, I thought I wouldn't be able to as I was an E-7, however not many soldiers wanted to so I went. I spent 10 exiting days with many MOH recipiants. While I didn't want to interfere with the weeks events for these American Hero's or bother them I couldn't help wanting to sit down and question them. COL Millet always had time and words of wisdom. And his time in service and accomplishments are phenominal. Never has someone been so fortunate as to be in such company as I was. After the Packer football game I saw him in the bar and after the days events I asked how he was doing he replied "better now, got my scotch". truely someone to look up to. 1SG Robbert, John L. ,Taji, Iraq
By john robbert on Sep 13, 2009 at 3:29 am
I was in class3-D , 15 AUG 1959. Student #441
While going thru training, some film company was making a short subject film of the Recondo training , I have search but can not find anything.
I hope you can.
Thanks in advance
Ron
By Ron Thornton on Sep 14, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I met COL Millet in San Diego at the NTC Branch Medical Clinic where he was attempting to receive medical attention for a serious infection as a result of hand wounds. The clinic was closed, so I escorted the COL to Balboa Naval Hospital. We went into the emergency room and it was there that I found out who the COL really was (Medal of Honor recipient) and the nature of his wounds. After all this hero had been through in his life, his future was threatened by hand wounds/infection received from fighting with the family cat. –Apparently, the COL has made a full recovery.
By Gary on Oct 29, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Col Millett has passed away to the Jerry Pettit VA Hospital on November the 14th 2009. I had the honor to know Col Millett who is a true American Hero through the US Naval Sea Cadet Program in Moreno Valley California. He will be missed by all.
God Speed
By Ken Hudson on Nov 16, 2009 at 9:16 pm
I met Col. Millett in Washington DC when we were at a KWVA convention working to get the National Korean War menorial bult, I had many interesting talks with the Col. also a few drinks along the way. He was truly a great hero and a Soldier's Soldier—–RIP Lew, a fellow Korean War Vet.——–former Sgt. N. Bentele X Cps
By Norbert Bentele on Nov 16, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Col. Millett was my Regimental Commander at Ft. Devens
's MA and he was a great leader. A true gentleman and his Tactical Training Course will be remembered by many–including me.
By Tom Abrials on Nov 17, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I also cleaned his office at Fort Devens, while I was in training in the ASA. It was an honor to get a chance to be there. I helped dig the ditches at jungel training site on a few weekends, then went through with everyone else after graduating school.
By David K. Walkup on Nov 17, 2009 at 5:31 pm
How do we thank you Col. Millet? For outstanding service and your love of country. You are a true hero. Every American owes you and all our military leaders—thank you for the freedoms we all enjoy because of your committment, resolve and "can do" attitude!!!
By betty on Nov 20, 2009 at 7:48 am
I met Col. Millett in 1998 at Schofield Barracks, HI when he was our Honorary Regimental Commander. He pulled out a portable lawn chair and watch us do machine gun crew drills in his Class A's. He talked to us afterwards; explainng some of his life lessons from combat, and told us to challenge ourselves to always improve at our combat skills. He spoke honorable of the men he served with and recounted some of their last moments as if it were the day prior. You could tell he was a great leader who loved his troops by the way he took time out to mentor a handful of privates. He explained that things had been too quiet for too long to get comfortable and that we would be called on someday. You could hear it in his voice and see in his eyes how much he wished to be in the ranks with us. He was a true warrior's warrior; and one of the reasons I still serve today. Rest in Peace "Easy 6"! We will always honor your memory.
CPT Isaac Hubbard
By CPT Isaac Hubbard on Mar 16, 2010 at 8:20 pm