Eddie Crook lost in the finals of the Olympic trials in 1956 to José Torres, future world light-heavyweight champion, but in 1960 he had vastly improved as a fighter. By then he had won two Golden Gloves championships and an Eastern Regional AAU title and was considered a favorite to make the Olympic team. He did not disappoint and Crook was barely tested at Rome. He knocked out three of his first four opponents, before winning a 3-1-1 decision in the finals over Tadeusz Walasek of Poland. Crook was a career military man, serving two tours in Vietnam, and ending as a command sergeant major. He was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts.
United States