Lewis Lee Millett Sr.

The Bayonet Charge That Made History

When the world believed bayonet charges belonged to history, one American officer proved otherwise. In the frozen mountains of Korea, Colonel Lewis Lee Millett Sr. led one of the most legendary assaults in modern warfare—charging enemy positions with fixed bayonets and inspiring his soldiers to victory through sheer courage and determination. Awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration, Millett became a symbol of fearless leadership whose extraordinary career spanned three wars, two armies, and more than three decades of military service.

Born on 15 December 1920 in Mechanic Falls, Maine, Millett's path to military greatness was anything but ordinary. Before the United States entered the Second World War, he enlisted in the Canadian Army to fight against Nazi Germany, demonstrating his determination to confront tyranny even before his own nation officially joined the conflict. His early wartime service earned him the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the British War Medal 1939–1945, reflecting his contribution to the Allied war effort under Commonwealth command.

After transferring to the United States Army, Millett fought across the European Theater during the Second World War. His battlefield leadership and repeated acts of bravery earned him the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal. His service was further recognized through the Presidential Unit Citation with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device, Silver Service Star, and two Bronze Service Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal.

Millett's defining moment came during the Korean War on 7 February 1951, during the assault on Hill 180 near Soam-ni. Facing intense enemy fire and heavily defended positions, he ordered his men to fix bayonets and personally led the charge uphill. Wounded by grenade fragments, he refused evacuation and continued fighting hand-to-hand while encouraging his soldiers forward. The bold assault overwhelmed the enemy and secured the objective. For this extraordinary act of conspicuous gallantry and inspirational leadership, Millett received the Medal of Honor, joining the ranks of America's greatest military heroes.

His service during Korea also earned the Korean Service Medal with a Silver Service Star, the United Nations Service Medal (Korea), the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, and later the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Millett continued serving through the Cold War and the Vietnam era, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

His courage and professionalism earned admiration far beyond the United States. France honored him with the Croix de Guerre with Palm, recognizing gallantry in combat. The Republic of Vietnam awarded him the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, the Technical Service Medal, First Class, the Armed Forces Honor Medal, First Class, and the Staff Service Medal, First Class, reflecting his distinguished contributions alongside allied forces during the Vietnam conflict.

What made Lewis Millett extraordinary was not simply the remarkable collection of medals he wore, but the spirit they represented. He believed leadership meant standing at the very front of the fight, sharing every danger faced by his soldiers. His legendary bayonet charge at Hill 180 became one of the defining moments of the Korean War and remains one of the most celebrated examples of personal courage in modern military history.

Colonel Lewis Lee Millett Sr. was more than a Medal of Honor recipient—he was a warrior who proved that courage, determination, and decisive leadership could still change the course of battle. His legacy continues to inspire soldiers, historians, and generations who believe that true leadership begins at the front.