Southland Monthly
Pistol Matches

Lt McMillan Shatters NRA Pistol Record

First Lieutenant William W. McMillan, Jr., a member of the Marksmanship Training Unit at Camp Matthews shattered an NRA national pistol record during the Southland Pistol Matches held here April 6-7.

Lt. McMillan compiled an official aggregate score of 2645x2700 to top, by one point, a record set in 1951 by Army Master Sergeant H. L. Benner. Veteran shooters had long predicted Benner's score of 2644 would never be topped.

Indicating the tough competition among 200 military, civilian, police and border patrol entrants firing the matches at the San Diego Police Range were the scores fired by three other shooters in the grand aggregate. All penetrated the 2600 bracket. Running second to McMillan was J. W. Hurst, Los Angeles Police Department with 2633, E. Hilden, Border Patrol, 2621, and Tech. Sgt. F. W. Filkins. 2600. All are rated among the top ten pistol shots in the country today.

In the .22 slow fire match, Lt. McMillan fired a 197 for first place. Tech. Sgt. Filkins followed with 192, while Master Sgt. W. L. Reidland was third with 191.

Firing the .22 over the national match course Staff Sgt. D. D. Thorne led the field with 297.

Sgt. Filkins and Lt. McMillan were a close first and second in the .22 timed fire events. Both fired a 200, but Filkins' 14 X's topped the 12 X score fired by McMillan.

In the rapid fire .22 match, Lt. McMillan set another national record with a score of 200 with 17 X's. Sgt. Thorne's possible with 15 X's, placed him in second spot.

Firing a .38, Lt. McMillan again copped a first place award in the rapid fire division with 199.

Exceptionally high aggregates for the .22 were held by McMillan, 890, Filkins, 881, and Thorne, 878.

The .38 aggregate score for the match was taken by Lt. McMillan with 882. He also placed second in the .45 aggregate class with 873. Sgt. Filkins followed in third place with 872.

The MTU Blue Team won the .22 match with a score of 1164.

Lt. McMillan, 28, began competition firing in 1951, the year Benner set the record. He is a distinguished rifle and pistol shot and won the Lauchheimer Trophy in 1955 for the highest aggregate rifle and pistol scores in the Marine Corps Matches. He also fired in the 1955 Pan American Games in Venezuela, placing second in pistol rapid fire.

Commissioned from the rank of technical staff sergeant in 1953, he has been a Marine for more than eight years and is a veteran of Korea fighting. He is currently serving as coach and captain of the Marksmanship Training Unit's pistol team.

MCRD Chevron, Friday, April 12, 1957

Camp Matthews Marine Sets National Pistol Record

Lt. William W. McMillan, a Marine stationed at Camp Matthews, yesterday established a national record in the 2,700 aggregate event during a shoot at the Police Pistol Range.

McMillan scored 2,645 of a possible 2,700. The former record of 2,644 was set by Sgt. Huelet Benner of the Army in a match in Georgia in 1951.

Three other marksmen also fired over 2,600, a feat which seldom is accomplished. John Hurst of the Los Angeles Police Department hit 2,633, Elmer Hilden of the U. S. Border Patrol 2,621 and Marine Sgt. Fred Filkins, 2,620. In addition, Hilden fired the first perfect score ever shot in competition in the .22 caliber national match event, 300-300.

San Diego Union, Monday, April 8, 1957

McMillan Shatters 'Unbeatable Record With 2645 Total in Diego Pistol Matches

SAN DIEGO - Marine 1st Lt. William W. McMillan, Jr., a member of the marksmanship training unit at Camp Matthews Marine rifle ranges, shattered an NRA national pistol record during the Southland Pistol Matches here.

Lt. McMillan compiled an official grand aggregate score of 2645 x 2700 to top, boy one point, a record set in 1951 by Army MSgt. H. L. Benner. Veteran shooters had long predicted Benner's score of 2644 would never be topped.

Running second to McMillan was J. W. Hurst, Los Angeles Police Department with 2633; E. Hilden, Border Patrol, 2621, and TSgt. F. W. Filkins, 2626, also of the marine marksmanship training unit.

In the rapid fire .22 match, McMillan set another national record with a score of 200 with 17X's.

Exceptionally high aggregates for the .22 were held by McMillan, 890, Filkins, 881, and Sgt. D. D. Thorne, 878.

The .38 aggregate score for the match was taken by McMillan with 882. He also placed second in the .45 aggregate class with 873.

Navy Times, April 24, 1957

1st Lt. William W. McMillan, TSgt. Frederick W. Filkins and Elmer W. Hilden