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U.S. and the Republic of Korea military officials honored and
paid tribute to the Soldiers of the Easy Company, 27th Infantry
Regiment, who gallantly fought and died during the Battle of Hill
180, also known as the Battle of Bayonet Hill, during the 66th
anniversary ceremony of Hill 180 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea,
February 3, 2017.
A very descriptive narrative of the battle
was read during the ceremony, which was hosted by the 3rd
Battlefield Coordination Detachment.
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February 3, 2017 - Members of the U.S., Republic of Korea
military and civilians commemorate the 66th anniversary ceremony of
the Battle of Hill 180, also known as the Battle of Bayonet Hill, at
Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The ceremony paid tribute to the heroic
actions of the Soldiers of Easy Company, 27th Infantry Regiment
during the Battle of Hill 180, Feb. 7, 1951. (U.S. Army photo by
Sgt. Sinthia Rosario, Eighth Army Public Affairs)
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“Let’s go! Use grenades and cold steel! Kill ’em with the
bayonet!” these are words of inspiration that have echoed
throughout time in remembrance of Capt. Lewis Millett and
his men of Easy Company during his famed charge at the
Battle of Hill 180.
On Feb. 7, 1951, Millett led his
Soldiers in a courageous charge up the hill, dodging
grenades and heavy machine gun fire. They maneuvered their
way using bayonets to neutralize the enemy threat, and
throwing grenades into bunkers and foxholes until they
completely eliminated the enemy from the hill.
“I think that [Millett] was an amazing leader and in
that moment the folks that were following him relied life or
death on his leadership,” said Cynthia E. Schmitz, commander
of Veterans of Foreign Wars for Post 10216. “He was not
going to back down, he was a warrior and he was going to
handle business in that moment, and take care of his men and
fight the enemy.”
When it was all over, Millett
stopped atop the saw-toothed ridge and pumped his bloody
rifle up and down, signaling to those below he had conquered
Bayonet Hill.
After the battle, 47 enemy dead were
counted on the forward slope of the hill; 30 had died as a
result of bayonet wounds. On the reverse slope lay another
50 enemy, dead of either bayonet or gunshot wounds.
Command Sgt. Maj. Richard E. Merritt, Eighth Army command
sergeant major, was the guest speaker during this event. He
spoke about the significance of the battle.
“The
battle that happened right here on Hill 180, represents more
than a fight over a 600-foot stretch of land in the midst of
the Korean countryside,” he said. “It represents more than a
company commander risking the lives of two platoons to save
a third. This battle and the bravery of the men of Easy
Company, as they fixed bayonets for a brutal attack,
represent the fight for the freedom that this nation enjoys
today.”
Merritt said, throughout his military career
he had seen men and women who stood ready to defend that
freedom again if called upon. He told those present in the
ceremony, to look to their left, look to their right, and to
look in the mirror.
“I know what freedom looks like
because I see it every day,” said Merritt. “They fill our
formations across the peninsula. I can attest to you that
the ROK-US Alliance is prepared to build on the legacy of
honor and courage that brings us to these ceremonies on
Bayonet Hill each February.”
A ceremonial laying of
the wreath was performed by the official party, followed by
a rifle salute and playing of “Taps” to show respect to Easy
Company.
“I am honored to be a part of this
ceremony,” said Schmitz. “It symbolizes to me a fierce
fight, it symbolizes to me honor and it symbolizes to me
dedication and unity. We have not forgotten and we will not
forget the sacrifices made by Millett and his men. Their
legacy will continue to live on.”
By U.S. Army Sgt. Sinthia Rosario
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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