And then there were 93...

Comrades:

Col. Lewis Lee Millett, a Medal of Honor recipient, has transferred to Post Everlasting. He resided for many years in the mountain community of Idyllwild in the San Gorgonio Pass area of Riverside County, CA. I am forwarding for your information the story of his passing in the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

A veteran of WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, Col. Millett, 88, was one of a kind, and a force unto himself, full of life to its end, with his U.S. Army beret, dashing handle-bar mustache, and jaunty demeanor. He was extremely well-known among veterans because of his presence at so many events and ceremonies pertaining to veterans and their families, even when wheel-chair bound. He was a Life Member of The American Legion.

Col. Millett was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in the Korean War, to which he was called to service as a member of the National Guard. He noted his membership in the National Guard as the keynote speaker in ceremonies at the National Guard Armory in Banning when he and the San Gorgonio Pass community welcomed home a new generation of California National Guard soldiers who had been called to combat duty in the war against terrorism in Iraq.

Col. Millett donated many hours of service at Riverside National Cemetery, where he is one of the Medal of Honor recipients honored at the United States National Medal of Honor Memorial. Nearby at RNC is the U.S. National P.O.W./M.I.A. Memorial, the centerpiece of which is a dramatic sculpture of a bound prisoner of war, kneeling and looking heavenward in an attitude of prayer. It was sculpted by Col. Millett's son, Vietnam War veteran and artist, Lewis Lee Millett, Jr., who waived the entire artist's commission so that the whole memorial, paid for by donations not tax funds, could be completed. Col. Millett joined his Vietnam veteran son at the dedication of the P.O.W./M.I.A. Memorial in his full U.S. Army Uniform.

America has lost one of its bravest, most patriotic, and most colorful, native sons and military heroes, Col. Lewis Lee Millett. May his God and country embrace him as he embraced, and served, each of them.

Please see the Press Enterprise for more details:

Rees Lloyd
Past Commander and Scribe, District 21 (Riverside County)
The American Legion Dept. of California

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.