TOP SHOOTER IN PRE-PERRY COMPETITION
The nation's top pistol shooters began competition this morning in the sixth annual pre-Perry matches at the South Bend police range on Portage Rd.
Heading the list of nationally ranked shooters is SFC Bill Blankenship, firing for the all-Army team. Blankenship set a national aggregate record last year. The match precedes the national championships scheduled to begin July 31 at Camp Perry, O.
The field of 320 begins firing each day a 8. Another top shooter entered is Marine Capt. William McMillan, champion in the 1960 Olympics. Eighty shooters are competiting for the Army, plus 30 each from the Marines and Air Force. Other teams represent six Army groups and Coast Guard.
The South Bend Tribune, Indiana, Friday, July 21, 1961
TOP SHOOTERS AT PISTOL RANGE— Several of the nation's top pistol shooters are competiting in the sixth annual pre-Perry matches at the South Bend police range on Portage Rd. From left to right are Capt. Franklin C. Green of the Air Force team; Capt. William McMillan of the Marine corps, a 1960 Olympic champion; SFC William B. Blankenship of the Army team and Glenn Zubler, statistical officer of the meet.
The South Bend Tribune, Indiana, Friday, July 23, 1961
NO. 1 EFFORT FOR 2D ARMY
Pistol Victory Over All-Service Teams Big Thrill
By SEYMOUR S. SMITH (Sun Staff Correspondent)
Fort Meade, Md., Aug. 18 - One triumph doesn't usually make for a successful campaign, but you'd have a tough time selling that to 2d Army's pistol corps. They returned today still celebrating the most exciting 45 minutes of their season - a rude jolting of the all-service entries in the annual South Bend (Ind.) Classic.
Firing the .45-caliber weapon through horrendous weather conditions, M.Sgt. John McNeese's charges triggered 1,160x1200 against such favorites as the national kingpin M.Sgt. William Blankenship - led all-Army Blues and all-Marines, with Olympic hero Capt. William McMillan, leading from the time McNeese himself completed the opening relay.
McNeese Supervises Shooters
"I guess the little ole' country boys showed 'em," McNeese, who doubles between shooting and supervising 2d Army's pistol marksmen, bubbled. "I've been competing since 1955" - wen Army buddies persuaded him to fire for his post in Alaskan Command matches - "and I know it's the biggest thrill I've ever had."
"You realize a different kind of satisfaction in a team match, especially one like this when you knock off the big guys. Maybe it's because everyone is dependent upon each other. When you're firing individually and you throw a shof off, well, it's your problem. But do the same on the team and you're hurting three other fellows."
Poor Weather Conditions
McNeese's efforts in the rain and tornado-like winds earned 2d Army a quick 1-point edge and Spec. 3.C. Charles Tipton retained the slim margin in the next round. Sgt. 1.C. William Dunkelberger swelled the advantage to three markers and M.Sgt. Robert Pruden, matching all-Army's furious rally, protected the lead down the stretch. The Blues boom 1,158.
"Everyone has their own method on the firing line," McNeese declared, proudly pointing to his practicing championship partners, especially mentally. Mental discipline tears up a lot of shooters. They beat themselves inside their heads. None of our boys let that happen at South Bend."
The Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, August 19, 1961