quote:

Lewis Lee Millett, Sr. (December 15, 1920 – November 14, 2009) was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading the last major American bayonet charge.

By February 7, 1951, Millett was serving in Korea as a captain and commander of Company E of the 27th Infantry Regiment. On that day, near Soam-Ni, he led his company in an assault on an enemy position atop Hill 180. When one platoon became pinned down by heavy fire, Millett took another platoon forward, joined the two groups, and led them up the hill. Wielding his bayonet and throwing hand grenades, Millett yelled encouragement to his soldiers throughout the hand to hand fight. Upon reaching the top of the hill, his men stormed the enemy position and forced the opposing soldiers to withdraw. Although wounded in the shin by grenade fragments, Millett refused to be evacuated until the position was secured. Historian S.L.A. Marshall described the attack as "the most complete bayonet charge by American troops since Cold Harbor". Out of about 50 enemy dead, roughly 20 were found to have been killed by bayonets, and the location subsequently became known as Bayonet Hill.

For his leadership during the assault, Millett was awarded the Medal of Honor. The medal was formally presented to him by President Harry S. Truman in July 1951. He was also awarded the Army's second-highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross, for leading another bayonet charge in the same month.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fightdirecto
...61 years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Millett

quote:

Lewis Lee Millett, Sr. (December 15, 1920 – November 14, 2009) was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading the last major American bayonet charge.
By February 7, 1951, Millett was serving in Korea as a captain and commander of Company E of the 27th Infantry Regiment. On that day, near Soam-Ni, he led his company in an assault on an enemy position atop Hill 180. When one platoon became pinned down by heavy fire, Millett took another platoon forward, joined the two groups, and led them up the hill. Wielding his bayonet and throwing hand grenades, Millett yelled encouragement to his soldiers throughout the hand to hand fight. Upon reaching the top of the hill, his men stormed the enemy position and forced the opposing soldiers to withdraw. Although wounded in the shin by grenade fragments, Millett refused to be evacuated until the position was secured. Historian S.L.A. Marshall described the attack as "the most complete bayonet charge by American troops since Cold Harbor". Out of about 50 enemy dead, roughly 20 were found to have been killed by bayonets, and the location subsequently became known as Bayonet Hill.
For his leadership during the assault, Millett was awarded the Medal of Honor. The medal was formally presented to him by President Harry S. Truman in July 1951. He was also awarded the Army's second-highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross, for leading another bayonet charge in the same month.

So, the last bayonet charge by American troops was 61 years ago. The Army dropped bayonet training in the Spring of 2010.

quote:

BAYONET TRAINING

CHARGE WITH
LETHAL PRECISION
A bayonet is a removable fighting knife that attaches to the muzzle of a rifle barrel. In close combat situations where a rifle cannot be fired, the bayonet is an indispensible, lethal weapon. Learning how to effectively use a bayonet is an important part of Marine Corps training.

On the bayonet assault course, recruits learn to attach and detach the bayonet from the rifle quickly and to engage targets aggressively. They become masters of offensive and defensive fighting techniques.

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quote:

ORIGINAL: erieangel

You're correct, the Marines do still use bayonets.

The army does not.

Different branches of the military.

quote:

ORIGINAL: mnottertail

http://www.collarchat.com/m_458408/mpage_8/key_chesty%252Cpuller/tm.htm#473765

I agree with Looies sentiments and I think it is very shortsighted to give up bayonet training, cuz sooner or later it gets down to cases....................  

quote:

ORIGINAL: BamaD

quote:

ORIGINAL: erieangel

You're correct, the Marines do still use bayonets.

The army does not.

Different branches of the military.

The Armystill issues bayonets but the don't provide training in their use.