[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COLONEL LEWIS MILLETT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual from my Congressional District whose dedication to 
defending the people of this country and preserving the basic freedoms 
and liberties that we hold so dear earned him the highest military 
award our country has to offer. Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Lewis 
Millett passed away on November 14, 2009. He was a true American hero 
and today I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to honor and remember 
him and his 31 years of service.
  Colonel Millett was born in Mechanic Falls, ME, on December 15, 1920. 
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940 and served as an air gunner, 
then joined the Canadian Army when it appeared the United States would 
not enter World War II.
  Millett returned to the U.S. Army in 1942 upon the United States' 
entrance into World War II and served in the 1st Armored Division. 
After making sergeant, he was awarded a battlefield commission.
  According to his Medal of Honor Citation, then-Captain Millett 
distinguished himself ``above and beyond the call of duty in action'' 
in Korea, after he and his men came under heavy enemy fire on February 
7, 1951.
  Captain Millett ordered and led a bayonet counterattack up the hill, 
killing enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand assault during which he was 
wounded by a grenade blast. Despite the adverse conditions Captain 
Millett's company had taken the hill by early afternoon.
  Captain Millett was presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry 
S. Truman in July 1951. He retired as a colonel in 1973 after a 31-year 
career in which he served in World War II, the Korean conflict and the 
Vietnam conflict.
  Other notable military decorations awarded to Colonel Millett include 
the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, 
three Bronze Stars, four Purple Hearts and three Air Medals.
  Colonel Millett's dedication to his country is a testament to a life 
of service and a legacy that lives on through his sacrifices. Today let 
us pledge to always remember Colonel Lewis Millett--the goodness he 
brought to our world and the sacrifices he made will never be 
forgotten.

                          ____________________