LTC George B. McMillan, USAAF
Class of 1938
Hometown: Winter Garden, Fl.
- McMillan became the first Citadel alumnus to achieve the status of "Ace" credited with 8.5 documented aerial victories as a member of the all volunteer "Flying Tigers" prior to America's entry in World War II, and later as a USAAF pilot during that war. He was shot down/KIA over Pingxiang, China on 24 Jun 1944.
- McMillan was 6 credits from earning his degree at The Citadel when he left to join the Army Air Corps, receiving his wings in 1939. Prior to America's entry into World War II, McMillan resigned his USAAF commission to become a Flight Leader in the all-volunteer Flying Tigers, based in China. McMillan was assigned to the 3d Squadron ("Hells Angels") of the 1st American Volunteer Group. He served as a Flight Leader, Operations Officer and Vice Commander of the unit. While serving with the Flying Tigers in China he was credited with 4.5 aerial victories, and also survived a crash landing after his plane was badly damaged during a mission on Christmas Day of 1941.
- The Flying Tigers were disbanded in 1942, and McMillan re-joined the USAAF. He returned to China in October, 1943 serving briefly with the Chinese-American Composite Wing (Provisional) then was assigned to the 449th Squadron of the 51st Fighter Group where he was Commander of the squadron. McMillan was credited with destroying 4 more Japanese aircraft before being shot down and killed on his 53d mission near Pingxiang, China on June 24, 1944.
- In recognition of McMillan's extraordinary service and sacrifice, The Citadel posthumously awarded him his Class Ring and degree on September 9, 2022.