The William McMillan Trophy
National Trophy Individual & Team Pistol Matches

The McMillan Trophy is awarded annually to the Marine, Regular or Reserve, who attains the highest service pistol aggregate score (Slow, Timed and Rapid Fire) in the National Trophy Individual Pistol and Team Matches held at Camp Perry, Ohio.

The trophy was presented to the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice (NBPRP) by the U.S. Marine Corps in 1978 and is the counterpart to the General Shepherd Trophy for service rifle accomplishment.

This trophy honors Bill for his personal achievements in competitive shooting with the Marine Corps for over 20 years.

Norman Hines is the sculptor of the McMillan Trophy.

“ THE McMILLAN TROPHY for High Pistol Aggregate NTI and NTT Matches”

Photo taken at the 1961 Eastern Division Matches
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

HQMC establishes shooting trophy

WASHINGTON (MC News) - A new national pistol shooting trophy for Marines has been established by Headquarters Marine Corps.

The "McMillan Trophy" will be awarded annually to the Marine, regular or reserve, who attains the highest aggregate score in the National Individual Pistol Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.

The trophy's namesake, Lieutenant Colonel William W. McMillan, USMC (Ret.), had one of the most successful shooting records of any Marine throughout the Corps' history.

H was stationed here for a number of years before his retirement and worked with the 1st Marine Division's Marksmanship Training Unit.

A month the more significant of his accomplishments was his participation in four Pan American Games, six World Shooting Championship Matches and membership on six Olympic Shooting teams.

He is a two-time National Individual Pistol Champion and winner of the National Pistol Championship. The highlight of his competitive shooting career was the winning of a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

During his tour of duty at Camp Pendleton, LtCol. McMillan served on numerous occasions as officer-in-charge of the Annual Western Division Matches held here each spring.

The former Marine, who retired in 1974 and currently resides in San Diego, Calif., still participates in marksmanship competition at national and international matches.

Camp Pendleton shooters are still benefiting from his thoughtful instruction. As recent as last spring LtCol. McMillan returned to a Western Division Matches "snapping in" session to teach a class on "mental concentration" for the "Dingers."

"Competing against the records of past Marine 'sharpshooters' and knowing the goals they achieved are within your grasp, makes competition very motivating," remarked a Marine who is currently preparing for this year's Western Division Matches, April 9 - May 4.

The McMillan Trophy will recognize the finest pistol shot in the Corps and is the counterpart of the General Shepherd Trophy for service rifle accomplishment.

Marine Corps News