SPC William McMillan III US ARMY KIA 08 July 2008 Iraq

[Doc_Pardue]

Lexington soldier dies in Iraq, family says
By Michael White


Spec. William McMillan is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, a student at the University of Kentucky.
Spec. William McMillan III was destined for the military, like his father, and loved working in the medical field, like his mother.


McMillan died in Iraq Tuesday, said his family, who lives in Lexington.


An Army medic based at Abu Ghraib, Iraq, he was traveling with his outfit when his vehicle hit a homemade bomb, injuring five and fatally wounding McMillan.


McMillan, 22, was seven months into his first tour in Iraq, his family said. He had received the Bronze Star, his mother said, the fourth-highest combat award in the service, which is unusual for his position. His mother said McMillan seemed almost genetically inclined for his position in the Army. “It's almost like this is what he was born to do, you know? It was definitely in his blood.” McMillan's father, Gen. William McMillan Jr., studied at the Kentucky Military Institute and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., before serving in Vietnam, and his mother is a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Lexington.


“He was always the star athlete,” Marge McMillan said.


McMillan attended high school at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, where as a senior he was captain of the wrestling, lacrosse and football teams, winning the school's Athlete of the Year Award. He loved the water and in his free time enjoyed wakeboarding and boating on Lake Cumberland with his family, Marge McMillan said.


He attended Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va., for a year before deciding to go straight into the Army.


After being stationed for a year in Hawaii, McMillan was deployed to Iraq as a combat medic. His family says he never complained about being sent to combat and believed strongly in the cause he was fighting for. He hoped to become either a nurse or physician's assistant when his tour ended later this year.


“He brought laughter and light into any room he entered from the day he was born,” said his mother.


McMillan kept in close contact with his family during his time in Iraq, and his mother said they talked to him on the phone at least two times a week.


“There always seemed to be a crowd of people around him,” she said. “He told us people would just come to see him in the barracks, because he was such a hilarious guy.”


McMillan was not just a wonderful and loving husband, brother and son, his wife, Elizabeth said, but a hero and friend to everyone who knew him.


“I want everyone to know that he always wanted to help people, and that he was and still is a hero,” she said.


McMillan is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, a student at the University of Kentucky; his parents, Gen. William McMillan Jr. and Marge McMillan; his sister Lauren; and his brother Brad.


McMillan's family said he will be buried at Camp Nelson, however, no date or details have been set.

[Da-Chief]

Our hearts and prayrs go out to the McMillan Family, his fellow Soldiers, Friends and loved ones. The "DOC" Community will miss this hero. We at Corpsman.com Grieve for this loved ones loss.

Please leave condolences below, and remember there is a good chance family members or friends will see these.

Da-Chief

[docv'sfuturewife]

My heart goes out to the family, friends, and those he was serving with. My prayers and thoughts are with those who knew and love him during this time of sorrow.

[cleanstick]

my heart is broken, another doc in heaven... when will the madness end?

[fgrouell]

The emotional impact of such news only cements true Patriots' dedication to freedom. Perhaps one day again, because of SPC William McMillan III sacrafice, his family and friends will not have to carry identification papers to travel, bank, and walk the US countryside as once we could. His effort to this end is his legacy. My condolences to all and God Bless. Semper Fi

[mba28]

Our family's hearts go out to this Doc and his family. We are sorry beyond words and pray for a quick end to the terrible war. Even one American killed is one too many, let alone 4000+
Richard Cooper (former HM2)

[docschatte]

Our Military family's hearts go out to his family. Each day I pray for my brothers and sisters over there. My husband heads back over there soon, My son, who is a medic like me, is thank God at Walter read and I am in Texas, formally HM2 Schatte/ presently SGT Schatte.

[jkeasling]

Please accept my condolence. Being a former Hospital Corpsman with the Marines 66-67, it seems a little harder to loose one of your own comrades.

[Luke'sdad]

There is a special place in heaven for Corpsmen and Medics. Those that put the wellfare of others before their own.
Luke'sdad
Proud Father of a Devil Doc

[KDOC8404]

Another protector of freedom falls to the sand scum in the oversized litter box. Let all those whom fallen for our freedom never be forgotten. And the families heal knowing that they fall for their freedom.