Ranger Lew Millett -- RIP

[Jim]

On 14 November, we lost one of the finest soldiers I have ever known. Ranger Lew Millett, the first Advisor to the Vietnamese Rangers, as well as the founder of the 101st Airborne Division RECONDO School passed away. He was a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame. I talked to him at Arlington Cemetery a year or so ago and I was amazed that he was in such fine shape. He was a pleasure to work for and the toughest man I have known. The biographic material understate his accomplishments.

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lewis Millett of Idyllwild died this morning at Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center in Loma Linda. He was 88.

"He had a brief hospitalization. He came in the day before Veterans Day," said hospital spokeswoman Annie Tuttle.

Millett enlisted in the Army as a private in 1942 and earned a battlefield commission in World War II, according to the Korean War Veterans Association Web site.

In Korea, then-Capt. Millett earned his Medal of Honor after he and his men came under heavy enemy fire at Hill 180 in Osan on July 5, 1951. Millett ordered and led a bayonet counter-attack.

After personally killing at least three enemy soldiers, Millett was seriously wounded by a grenade blast. But by early afternoon, his company had taken the hill.

Millett retired as a colonel in 1973 after a 31-year career that spanned three wars.

—Richad Brooks
rbrooks@PE.com



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[al_2ndWolfhounds]

RIP Ranger and fellow 2nd Bn 27th Inf Wolfhound.

[elle]

Rest In Peace, heartfelt condolences to Ranger Millett's family and many Brothers.

[Ranger Ron]

RIP Ranger! Prayer out for his family.

~S~

[garyedolan]

Grip Hands. You have well earned the Peace you justly deserve. RIP

[cams]

Rest in peace Ranger.

[centermass]

Will always be a legend, whether with the Angels or amongst us in memory.

RIP Ranger

~S~

[RANGER513]

Rest In Peace, Ranger.

[K.Ingraham]

A great warrior. RIP.

[Invictus]

He truly led the way.

RLTW, Sir.

[Earthpig]

That name sure rings a huge bell. I want to say I met him at one of the past two Rendezvous. Rest Easy, Ranger. Thanks for Leading the Way.

RLTW
EP

[The Holmchicken]

I met him and Bob Howard on the 50th anniversary of the Hill 180, at the scene of the battle (which is now part of Osan AFB) when I was stationed in Korea.

[doyle]

RIP. He was supposed to speak at my town's Veteran's Day celebration but was unable to make it, I'm sorry to hear that this is why..

[Rangerguru]

I had the honor of having a few beverages with him when I was stationed in Hawaii. A true hero and warrior. RIP Sir.