Lt. Col. Loyd E. Mills (57th Infantry (PS))

[friscohare]

(via the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society website)

25 years ago, on January 14, 1990, Lieutenant Colonel Loyd Edward Mills passed away. He left an amazing story and legacy behind.

He was a leader:

- Commanded C Co., 57th Infantry (PS) and defended Bataan against the relentless assaults of the Japanese Imperial Army
- Western States Chapter, American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor from 1976-77
- Co-founder of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society

He was a survivor:

- Survived the Bataan Death March
- Survived the bombing of the hellship Oryoku Maru
- Survived the attack on the hellship Enoura Maru
- Although he had to be carried off of the hellship Brazil Maru, he survived.
- Survived Japanese POW camps in Japan and Korea.

After two tours in Japan, Loyd retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserves, in 1960.

During his Army career, he received the:

- Presidential Unit Citation w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters
- Bronze Star w/Oak Leaf Cluster
- Purple Heart
- POW Medal
- Army Commendation Ribbon
- American Campaign w/1 Star
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign w/3 stars
- Army Occupation Forces Medal
- WWII Victory Medal
- Philippine Defense Medal w/1 star
- Philippine Liberation Medal
- Philippine Independence Medal
- Philippine Military Merit Medal
- Philippine Gold Cross

In 1964, he graduated from California State College, Fullerton, CA and became a probation officer in Riverside, CA.

Let us not forget this leader, survivor, and friend.

[friscohare]

Lt. Col. Loyd Mills' grouping consists of his insignia (including a Japanese-made Philippine Division patch), medals, hats, a cross-stitched 57th Infantry (PS) insignia, a photo of all the 57th Inf. (PS) officers present in August 1941 and more.

[friscohare]

His medals hang above the right chest pocket. It includes the Bronze Star w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, POW Medal, Bataan Medal (New Mexico National Guard), the Philippine Military Merit Medal, the Philippine Gold Cross, Philippine Defense Medal w/1 star, Philippine Liberation Medal, Philippine Independence Medal. A Japanese-made Combat Infantryman Badge is above the ribbons.

[friscohare]

Lt. Col. Mills' named Bronze Star, Purple Heart and POW Medal.

[friscohare]

Left side of the uniform.

[friscohare]

Officers of the 57th Infantry Regiment (PS), August 1941.

[friscohare]

A copy of Mills' POW card.

[friscohare]

Lt. Col. Mills' report on the 1986 Philippine Scouts reunion.

[friscohare]

Loyd Mills at the 1989 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Reunion.

[friscohare]

A copy of Col. John Olson's "Anywhere, Anytime: The History of the Fifty-Seventh Infantry (PS) and the cross-stitched 57th Infantry Regiment (PS) Distinguished Unit Insignia.

Note: Col. Olson and LTC Mills served together in the 57th Inf. (PS).

[friscohare]

Inside Olson’s “Anywhere, Anytime,” Col. Olson wrote a small dedication to Loyd Mills as well as a note to Charlie Mills, Loyd's wife.

The dedication reads:

In memory of Loyd E. Mills.
C.O. Company “C,” 57th Infantry (PS)
A Dedicated Philippine Scout
We all miss him,
[signed] Johnny

26 October ‘91

[friscohare]

His ADBC hat with mini-medals:

[friscohare]

Finally, the Press-Enterprise reported on the passing of Lt. Col. Mills, dated 01/17/90.

[VeeVee]

Priceless collection of nuggets. Thanks Friscohare.

Is that Lt. Nininger in the group picture top row, near the middle? There's a hand-written note adding him to the list of names.