Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. A middle-distance runner who was widely compared to the greatness of Jesse Owens, he earned three Gold Medals during the course of his Olympic career. By the time he reached the age of twelve, he was orphaned and awarded guardianship to his older sister which resulted in him moving to Los Angeles, California. Following high school graduation, he enlisted with the United States Army Air Force and became a member of the elite group known as the "Tuskegee Airmen" of the then-segregated Armed Forces during World War II. Upon his return home, he enrolled at Ohio State University and participated in track and field, an interest which was sparked during his early youth. He earned a place on the United States Men's Track and Field squad for the 1948 Summer Olympic Games in London, England and went on to capture gold medals in the Men's 800 Meters competition and the Men's 4x800 Meters Relay. Additionally, he earned a bronze medal in the Men's 400 Meters competition. Whitfield continued his military service and flew 27 combat missions as a Sergeant and aerial gunner during the Korean War. In between missions, he trained for the 1952 Olympic Summer Games in Helsinki, Finland and earned a gold medal in the Men's 800 Meters competition, in addition to a silver medal in the Men's 4x400 Meters Relay. Whitfield achieved the distinction as being the first active United States Military serviceman to receive an Olympic medal. After his honorable discharge from the military in 1952, he attained his Bachelor of Science degree from Los Angeles State University and served as a goodwill ambassador in the Middle East and Africa. Whitfield served for more than 30-years as a Youth and Sports Affairs Officer with the United States Information Agency and traveled extensively around the globe to promote international sports. He penned his memoir "Learning To Run" in 1967. His daughter Fredricka Whitfield became a news anchor with CNN and his son Ed Wright became an accomplished high-jumper. Whitfield died of complications from heart disease and prostate cancer.
Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. A middle-distance runner who was widely compared to the greatness of Jesse Owens, he earned three Gold Medals during the course of his Olympic career. By the time he reached the age of twelve, he was orphaned and awarded guardianship to his older sister which resulted in him moving to Los Angeles, California. Following high school graduation, he enlisted with the United States Army Air Force and became a member of the elite group known as the "Tuskegee Airmen" of the then-segregated Armed Forces during World War II. Upon his return home, he enrolled at Ohio State University and participated in track and field, an interest which was sparked during his early youth. He earned a place on the United States Men's Track and Field squad for the 1948 Summer Olympic Games in London, England and went on to capture gold medals in the Men's 800 Meters competition and the Men's 4x800 Meters Relay. Additionally, he earned a bronze medal in the Men's 400 Meters competition. Whitfield continued his military service and flew 27 combat missions as a Sergeant and aerial gunner during the Korean War. In between missions, he trained for the 1952 Olympic Summer Games in Helsinki, Finland and earned a gold medal in the Men's 800 Meters competition, in addition to a silver medal in the Men's 4x400 Meters Relay. Whitfield achieved the distinction as being the first active United States Military serviceman to receive an Olympic medal. After his honorable discharge from the military in 1952, he attained his Bachelor of Science degree from Los Angeles State University and served as a goodwill ambassador in the Middle East and Africa. Whitfield served for more than 30-years as a Youth and Sports Affairs Officer with the United States Information Agency and traveled extensively around the globe to promote international sports. He penned his memoir "Learning To Run" in 1967. His daughter Fredricka Whitfield became a news anchor with CNN and his son Ed Wright became an accomplished high-jumper. Whitfield died of complications from heart disease and prostate cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
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