Undefeated in dual meets while at the US Naval Academy (‘44), Joe Henson won two Eastern Intercollegiate (EIWA) titles (1943-44), but never managed an NCAA Championship. In 1952, however, he won an AAU crown at 135 lbs., being named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler. Later in the year he became the second oldest American wrestler to win an Olympic medal, to that date. Henson later served as a Naval officer, serving with F Division for the Leyte Invasion and the Battle of Surigao Straits, and with the 7th Division for the Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa Campaigns in World War II. He eventually retired as a Captain in September 1969, and then became active in sports administration. For several years he was on the wrestling committee of the U.S. Olympic Committee, chairing the committee in 1964-68. He later served as the President of the AAU.
United States