William Willard McMillan (January 29, 1929 – June 10, 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.
![]() 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
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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]
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]
William Willard McMillan | |
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Nickname(s) | "Bill" |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1946-1974 |
Rank | ![]() |
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.[citation needed]
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 shooting in his honor.
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Summary | |
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