William McMillan (sport shooter)

William Willard McMillan (January 29, 1929 – June 10, 2000) was a world-class American sports shooter. Competing in ISSF 25 meter rapid fire pistol, he won an Olympic gold medal in 1960, was part of the American winning team at the 1952 World Championships, and won several gold and silver medals at the Pan American Games between 1955 and 1979.

William McMillan

McMillan (left) and James Enoch Hill (right) are commended by David M. Shoup, Commandant of the Marine Corps. McMillan holds the pistol he used at the 1960 Olympics.
Personal information
Born	(1929-01-29)January 29, 1929 Frostburg, Maryland, United States
Died	June 10, 2000(2000-06-10) (aged 71) Encinitas, California, United States
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	91 kg (201 lb)
Sport
Sport	Shooting
Club	US Marine Corps
Medal record Men's shooting Representing the  United States Olympic Games 1960 Rome 25 m rapid-fire pistol World Championships 1952 Oslo 25 m rapid fire pistol, team 1954 Caracas 25 m rapid fire pistol, team 1954 Caracas 25 m rapid fire pistol 1958 Moscow 25 m rapid fire pistol, team 1962 Cairo 25 m rapid fire pistol, team Pan American Games 1955 Mexico City 25 m rapid fire pistol, team 1955 Mexico City 25 m center fire pistol, team 1963 São Paulo 25 m rapid fire pistol, team 1967 Winnipeg 25 m rapid fire pistol 1967 Winnipeg 25 m rapid fire pistol, team 1955 Mexico City 25 m rapid fire pistol 1955 Mexico City 25 m center fire pistol 1979 San Juan 25 m rapid fire pistol 1979 San Juan 25 m rapid fire pistol, team

Biography

McMillan was born in Frostburg, Maryland.[1] He attended Turtle Creek High School in Pennsylvania.[2] His professional career was in the United States Marine Corps, eventually with the rank of lieutenant colonel. After his retirement he served as sheriff in San Diego County, California. He died in Encinitas, California on June 6, 2000.[1]

Sport shooting

Thomas A. Wornham (MCRD San Diego) decorating William W. McMillan with Elgin Wrist Watches for National Rifle and Pistol Matches 1957.

Between 1952 and 1976 he competed in the 25 m rapid fire pistol event in six Olympics, missing only the 1956 Games due to malfunctioning of his weapon during the US trials. He won a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and competed at five other Olympic Games.[1]

McMillan won one world, five Pan American and four national titles in the rapid fire pistol and free pistol events, as well as several silver medals at all these competitions, the last two aged 50.[1] In his career, he set two world shooting records.

In 1994, USA Shooting inducted him into the USA Shooting Hall of Fame.

Military service

William Willard McMillan
Nickname(s)	"Bill"
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1946-1974
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	Korean War Vietnam War
Awards
Other work	Deputy Sheriff

McMillan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1946. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1953 and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1974. He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

From 1974–1981, he worked as a Weapons Training Coordinator at San Diego County, California.[1] where he was injured in a shooting accident at the old Camp Elliot range.

In 1978, the Marine Corps established the McMillan Trophy for shooting in his honor.

Military Awards

[3]

• Distinguished Pistol Shot, June 16, 1950
• Distinghuished Marksman, June 3, 1954
• Distinghuished International Shooter, May 23, 1963

See also

• List of athletes with the most appearances at Olympic Games

References

1. Bill McMillan. Sports-Reference.com
2. "Area Marine Aims For Olympics". Matthew S. McMillan. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
3. http://www.wwmcmillan.info/usmc_GenInfo.html

External links

• William McMillan at Olympedia
• William McMillan at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
• William McMillan at databaseOlympics.com (archived)
• William McMillan at ISSF