JOHN BUNYAN MCMILLAN, JR., Class of 1946
Born October 14, 1925 to Leta Varina Smith and John Bunyan McMillan in Allendale County, South Carolina, John, Jr., matriculated with the class of 1946 and attended The Citadel until he was drafted June 11, 1943.
Private McMillan was was killed in action on January, 3, 1945, while serving with the 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division in the vicinity of Senonchamps, Belgium.
The After Action Report for the 60th Armored Infantry Battalion describes the action on January 1-3, 1945.
“During the day elements of the 11th Armored Division, attacking on our left, failed to advance according to plan, and TF KARSTETTER, attacking on our right, was driven back to its LD. This left TF COLLINS well forward with its flanks exposed.
To protect our exposed flanks and maintain contact with flanking units, B and C Troops, 89th Cay Rcn Sqdn (Mech) were attached to the task Force by CCA, 9th Armored Division.
On the morning of 2d January these two troops attacked and cleared the small woods just north of the RR finding therein only a few enemy stragglers (see overlay No. 1). After clearing the woods, these two Rcn Troops occupied positions alone- the northern edge of the woods. That afternoon, C Troop, 89th Cav Rcn Sqdn (Mech) was pulled back its position and reverted to the control of CCA, 9th Armored Division.
During the day, 2nd January, TF KARSTETTER took the town of SENONCHAMPS and the 11th Armored Division made contact with elements of the 101st Airborne Division north and east of SENONCHAMPS. The move of the 11th Armored Division established a frontline forward of the line held by TF COLLINS and TF KARSTETTER of CCA, 9th Armored Division.
TF COLLINS remained in position until units of CCA were relieved the following afternoon, 3rd January, by elements of the 17th Airborne Division. Upon relief of CCA, Task Forces were disbanded and all attached elements reverted to their parent units. Immediately the 60th armored infantry Battalion, as part of CCA, began its march to the rear, spending the night, fourth January, in the vicinity of VOLAIVILLE, BELGIUM.
Enemy casualties during the three-day period were 30 killed and 68 prisoners captured, plus 20 from our sector who surrendered to a unit on our left.
Weather for this period was crisp and clear with our air correspondingly hampering all enemy daylight activity. The ground was frozen 10 inches deep, but as has been indicated, the train was thickly wooded, almost entirely limiting the operations to infantry. Terrain under enemy control was thickly wooded in spots, but was generally open rolling ground with high points for the excellent observation.”
During this three-day period, the battalion reported 36 enlisted men killed wounded and missing. Private John Bunyan McMillan Jr. was buried in the U.S. Military Cemetery at Ham, Luxembourg. According to his family’s wishes, he was repatriated to the United States and buried in the family plot in the Great Salkehatchie Cemetery, Ulmer, South Carolina in 1949.
He was twenty-one years old.
/SSmith
