Hank Frierson

Hank Frierson was a career military officer who graduated from West Point in 1924. Frierson’s grandfather, J. W. S. Frierson, was a cavalry colonel in the Confederate States of America. Frierson also joined the cavalry after college, serving in the 8th Cavalry at Fort Bliss, Texas. In addition to show jumping he played polo and trained his own polo ponies and jumpers.

Frierson eventually became a colonel. He retired with a disability in 1949 shortly after the 1948 London Olympics. During his combat service with the 11th Cavalry Group, which he commanded, Frierson was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal for valor as well as the Croix de Guerre with Palm