William McMillan (sport shooter)

William Willard McMillan (January 29, 1929 – June 6, 2000) was a world-class American sport 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
DiedJune 6, 2000(2000-06-06) (aged 71)
Encinitas, California, United States
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight91 kg (201 lb)
Sport
SportShooting
ClubUS Marine Corps
Medal record
Men's shooting
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1960 Rome 25 m rapid-fire pistol
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1952 Oslo25 m rapid fire pistol, team
Silver medal – second place1954 Caracas25 m rapid fire pistol, team
Silver medal – second place1954 Caracas25 m rapid fire pistol
Silver medal – second place1958 Moscow25 m rapid fire pistol, team
Silver medal – second place1962 Cairo25 m rapid fire pistol, team
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1955 Mexico City 25 m rapid fire pistol, team
Gold medal – first place 1955 Mexico City 25 m center fire pistol, team
Gold medal – first place 1963 São Paulo 25 m rapid fire pistol, team
Gold medal – first place 1967 Winnipeg 25 m rapid fire pistol
Gold medal – first place 1967 Winnipeg 25 m rapid fire pistol, team
Silver medal – second place 1955 Mexico City 25 m rapid fire pistol
Silver medal – second place 1955 Mexico City 25 m center fire pistol
Silver medal – second place 1979 San Juan 25 m rapid fire pistol
Silver medal – second place 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 began in the United States Marine Corps, with McMillan eventually reaching 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 1957 National Rifle and Pistol Matches.

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.[3]

Military service
William Willard McMillan
Nickname(s)"Bill"
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1946-1974
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/warsKorean War
Vietnam War
Awards
V
Other workDeputy 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 to 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 sports shooting in his honor.

Military awards
V
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Silver star

[4]

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

See also

References
  1. Bill McMillan. Sports-Reference.com
  2. "Area Marine Aims For Olympics". Matthew S. McMillan. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  3. "Hall of Fame - William McMillan". usashooting.org. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  4. "USMC General Information".
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