Retired Army Col. Lewis L. Millett, a Medal of Honor recipient, honored by son

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Retired Army Col. Lewis L. Millett, a Medal of Honor recipient who died Nov. 14 at 88, was honored by his son, Lee, in a unique way. The Idyllwild resident, a sculptor, has created a series of sculptures honoring Medal of Honor recipients through history, including his dad.

The bronze sculpture depicts Lewis Millett, then a captain, while he led a bayonet charge up a heavily defended hill during the Korean War in 1951.

One of the sculptures of Col. Millett has been on display in the lobby of the Riverside National Cemetery, where Millett will be buried Dec. 5.

‘We also have a lithograph of him charging up Hill 180 [by Don Stivers] that’s on display, along with a framed photograph of him,’ said Jim Ruester, the cemetery’s public affairs officer.

Lee Millett, who has heard firsthand accounts from many war veterans and has attended numerous military ceremonies and services, remains moved by their service.

‘To meet these guys and talk to them is overwhelming,’ he told the Riverside Press-Enterprise in 2002. ‘They are real heroes. They put their life on the line. They put their dreams and hopes aside to protect us. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t ... we wouldn’t be here today.’

-- Dennis McLellan