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The dedication of a plaque honoring all Maine Medal of Honor recipients brought four of them to Capitol Park in Augusta in July 1996. Col. Lewis Millett, right, was decorated for actions during the Korean War. With Millett are, from left, Edward Dahlgren, Everett Pope and Jay Zeamer, who received their medals for service during WWII.

PASSAGES

Each day the newsroom selects one obituary and seeks to learn more about the life of a person who has lived and worked in Maine. We look for a person who has made a mark on the community or the person's family and friends in lasting ways.

IDYLLWILD, Calif. — Col. Lewis Millett, Maine's last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War, died Saturday at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, Calif. He was 88.

"He had an unqualified, unequivocal love for his country," said Michael Goldware, a spokesman for the family. "There was no end to which he would not go to serve the men and women of the armed forces."

Born in Mechanic Falls, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940.

In an interview with Military History magazine published June 6, 2006, Col. Millett said he deserted the Army when President Franklin D. Roosevelt said the U.S. would not fight on foreign soil during World War II. He joined the Royal Canadian Artillery Regiment in hopes of fighting against Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.

In the interview, he said that by the time the Canadian army landed on foreign soil, the U.S. was involved in the war and he returned to his original assignment, with the 27th Armored Field Artillery, 1st Armored Division.

During his 35-year military career, with service in three wars, Col. Millett received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, two Legion of Merit medals, three Bronze Stars, four Purple Hearts, three Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal and other awards.

He received his Medal of Honor for his actions in Soam-Ni, Korea, in August 1951, while serving in the Army's Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment. His commendation says he "distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action."

Armed with a bayonet, Millett, then a captain, led three platoons in combat against 200 North Korean and Chinese soldiers.

"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," reads his citation from Aug. 2, 1951.

An article in the Portland Press Herald on July 2, 1996, quoted Col. Millett as saying, "I wear this medal because 100 men believed in me and did what I asked."

The veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam spent his retirement years in California, Goldware said. Struggling with old age, diabetes and a heart condition, Col. Millett was hospitalized before Veterans Day.

He was visited by another three-war veteran in the days before his death, Goldware said.

California's U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack issued a statement Sunday saying, "From his heroic bayonet charge that earned him our nation's highest military honor – the Medal of Honor – to his long and distinguished military career, Col. Millett was steadfastly devoted to the noble cause of freedom and preserving the values that have made our nation great."

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 5 at the National Medal of Honor Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery in California.

Staff Writer Emma Bouthillette can be contacted at 791-6325 or at: ebouthillette@pressherald.com