McMILLEN, THOMPSON, KENT

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 04:33:33 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, June 28, 1934
Page 1

W. H. McMILLEN, Aviator, Kin of Kents, Is Killed

Lieut. W. H. McMillen, one of the best flyers in the country, whose marriage to Miss Martha Thompson, sister of Mrs. Thomas T. Kent, took place last fall, was killed Sunday when his plane collided in mid air with one of the Connecticut National Guard, over Rutland, Vt.

McMillen was engaged in mapping the international boundary over the lower St. Lawrence river in connection with the big canal project when the tragedy occurred.

The funeral took place yesterday at Whitestone, L. I., Mrs. McMillen’s former home. Mrs. Kent left Monday evening to be with her sister although she did not arrive there in time for the service. Mrs. McMillen’s mother, Mrs. W. H. Thompson, is making her home with Mrs. Kent in Ross.

Lieut. McMillen was best man at the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Kent in 1918. He was then in charge of Ellington Field in Texas, where Mr. Kent was also stationed. The flyer, who was 38(?) years old, became chief test pilot for the Curtiss company following the war and later went to South America for them, staying there for three years, and sold planes to five different countries, Chili, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay. He flew over the Andes many times.

McMillen later joined the Belanca company and after that became associated with Aerial Explorations, Inc., with which firm he was affiliated at the time of his death.