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Nebraska. McMillen enlisted, and was also commissioned Captain, and furnished his airplane.
Funds allotted the Guard were so small that the new air unit was given the governor's approval to fly exhibitions to raise money. McMillen and Shaffer both booked dates at fairs and similar events during the year, when not engaged in Guard maneuvers. The new Aviation Unit participated in both the 4th and 5th Infantry Encampments that year, and McMillen successfully adapted night flying lights and demonstrated bomb dropping and aerial photography. On November 21st McMillen flew from Lincoln to Omaha, dropped mock bombs along the way, and took aerial photos of several major points.
As 1915 ended McMillen received the Aero Club of America Medal of Merit award for his efforts in assisting to organize and operate the new Air Unit. In recognition of his services the Aero Club donated the tuition for McMillen to take some advanced training on the newer, more powerful military planes at the Newport News, Virginia, Curtiss Flying School in early 1916.
After returning to Nebraska McMillen flew over Lincoln at night on July 23rd during war maneuvers, then on the 29th he mock-bombed the state capital. He was also continiung exhibition flying for a livelihood, as his mother was dependent upon him. Shortly after, McMillen was killed at St. Francis, Kansas, on September 2, 1916, while flying an exhibition there. 
Flying Pioneer Captain Ralph E. McMillen was indeed a worthy member of the early fraternity of American civilian avaitors. Exhibition pilot, he enlisted and served in the early effort to build up an effective Air force and he lost his life while trying to contribute his share. His name is reverently recorded in the pioneer period of American avaition history.