RIP: Maine Guardsman Who Led Last Bayonet Charge
Millett was wounded by grenade fragments, but he refused evacuation. Read More...
Maine Guardsman who led last bayonet charge dies
Story courtesy of American Forces Press Service
(U.S. Army photo)
WASHINGTON, (11/20/09) - Retired Army Col. Lewis L. Millett, who received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading what reportedly was the last major American bayonet charge, died Nov 14.
He led the 25th Infantry Division’s Company E, 27th Infantry, in a bayonet charge up Hill 180 near Soam-Ni, Korea. A captain at the time, Millet was leading his company in an attack against a strongly held position when he noticed that a platoon was pinned down by small-arms, automatic, and antitank fire.
Millett placed himself at the head of two other platoons, ordered fixed bayonets, and led an assault up the fire-swept hill. In the fierce charge, Millett bayoneted two enemy soldiers and continued on, throwing grenades, clubbing and bayoneting the enemy, while urging his men forward by shouting encouragement...
Millett was wounded by grenade fragments during the attack, but he refused evacuation until the objective was firmly secured. He recovered, and attended Ranger School after the war.
Join the discussion on AMG’s The Public Square
Return to AMG’s home page