Harry Chamberlin

For Major Harry Chamberlin, the Los Angeles Games were his third Olympics, having previously competed in 1920 and 1928. By finishing second in the show jumping in 1932, he became the first American to win an Olympic medal in this event. Prior to graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1910, Chamberlin had attended Elgin Academy. While at West Point he had an outstanding athletic record and, with only a few minutes remaining in the 1909 game against Navy, he ran 95 yards for a touchdown to win the game for Army. Harry Chamberlin went on to a brilliant military career, starting as a lieutenant with the 7th Calvary and rising to the rank of Brigadier General in 1941 and, in 1942, he commanded the combined services task force which captured the New Hebrides. Whilst in the Pacific he was taken ill and reassigned to California as doctors attempted to treat what was to be a terminal illness. As his Olympic medals in two different events indicate, Chamberlin was a versatile horseman and he captained the Army polo team for many years.