Middle Atlantic Regional
Pistol Matches

Pistol Team Sets Record; Shatter Own

Eight Marines trained in the art of marksmanship - one of the prime requisites of the Marine Corps, invaded Harrisburg, Pa., Hunters and Anglers' range last weekend and continued their assault on the regional and national shooting records. In blasting out the "black," the leathernecks established a new national team record and shattered one they had previously set.

Quantico's expert pistol shooters set the new mark when they fired a record 1157 out of a possible 1200. This score shattered the 1150x1200 set down by the locals last month at Sparrows Point, Md. Prior to that time, the crack Detroit Police team held the record for 10 years with a 1140x1200.

Firing for the Quantico aggregation at the Harrisburg matches were Capt. J. M. Jagoda; CWO M. W. Billing; Master Sgt. T. R. Mitchell; Master Sgt. V. Perna; Master Sgt. O. C. Nelson; Staff Sgt. F. L. Kirby and Sgt. W. W. McMillan.

Competing against more than 200 civilian, police and service personnel entered in the match. Master Sgt. Mitchell won the individual honors in the grand aggregate and a trip to the National Pistol Championships to be held at San Francisco, Calif., in October.

The well known Marine Corps pistol competitor fired a grand aggregate of 2559 and was tied by teammate CWO Billing. However, the winner was determined on the basis of a three day total score on the rapid fire event which is considered the most difficult event of the matches. Mitchell posted an 874 rapid fire aggregate while Billings blasted an 867. Capt. Jagoda of Quantico placed third in the matches and Sergeant McMillan held down the sixth berth. Fourth place was won by Col. W. R. Walsh of Headquarters Marine Corps and fifth place laurels went to Maj. Philip Roettinger, USMCR.

The Quantico shooters who have gained fame throughout the nation hold down two other records along with that which they set at Harrisburg. The locals claim the National Indoor .22 caliber crown with 1138x1200 and the .45 caliber National Trophy Team Match.

Quantico Sentry, Friday, July 12, 1951

Marine Sergeant Outshoots Rivals in Pistol Tourney

M/Sgt. Tom R. Mitchell veteran Marine Corps pistol competitor won individual honors in the grand aggregate of a 3-day Regional Pistol tournament which ended yesterday at the Harrisburg Hunters and Anglers range.

Mitchell's aggregate of 2559 was tied by his team-mate, Chief Warrant Officer Mark W. Billing, but the winner was decided on the basis of a 3-day total score in the rapid-fire event which is considered the most difficult of the matches. Sgt. Mitchell, soft-spoken Texan with 17 years' service in the USMC, posted an 874 rapid-fire aggregate to Billing's 867.

The Marine School Team of Quantico, Va., established a national team record of 1157 out of a possible 1200. This broke their own record of 1150 established this year at Sparrows Point, Md. Prior to that, the Detroit Police had held the record for 10 years at 1140.

Excerpt from unknown news article, July 1951