Captain Thomas Dermot Brockbank McMillen
Unit : 1st Battalion The Glider Pilot Regiment
Army No. : 86518
Awards : Military Cross
Captain McMillen flew a Waco glider, chalk number 86, alongside Lieutenant Halsall from Airstrip "D" carrying men of "D" Company, 1st Border. Theirs was one of the few gliders to land within a few hundred yards of the correct landing zone. For his skill in the landing and efforts to get his party to the bridge, McMillen was awarded the Military Cross:
This officer made a successful landing in Sicily during his first gliderborne operation. He flew through flak and searchlights and landed onto a field which was strewn with obstacles.
He so landed his glider that his passengers were not hurt but in so doing, broke his ankles.
He insisted on moving forward to the enemy, and managed to obtain a bicycle. On this he led his men and though under fire remained cool though, unable to turn from the saddle, seated.
His example of leadership was an inspiration to his men who eventually reached the Syracuse bridge and helped to capture it.
It was due to Captain McMillen's example, though disabled, that his men were able to help in this operation.
A book has been written about the exploits of McMillen, "Aim For a Soft Landing: The Life and Times of a WWII Glider Pilot - Major T. D. B. McMillen MC" by Roy W. Jones and Edith M. Jones