Earl Foster Thomson
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Earl "Tommy" Thomson (August 14, 1900 - July, 1971) was an Olympic equestrian who won 5 medals during his international career.
in World War II
while he was serving as chief of staff
to the 10th Mountain Division
in Italy
.
Trained under Harry Chamberlin
, Thomson had an extremely successful equestrian Olympic career. He finished individually second, and won team gold, at his first Olympic competition in 1932.
At the 1936 Olympics
, he won the team gold and individual silver in eventing on the legendary mare Jenny Camp
, being one of the few riders, and the only American, to successfully negotiate the 4th obstacle on cross-country, a water jump. This obstacle included a 3' jump into the water, and for most of the competitors, they found that the footing on the bottom was slippery and it was much deeper than it looked. This obstacle created considerable controversy, as the entire German team made it through, suggesting that the home team could have had prior knowledge regarding the footing.
In 1948, Thomson competed in the dressage competition with Pancraft to win the team silver (after the gold medal-winning Swedish team was disqualified due to one of its members being an enlisted man rather than an officer). This is to-date the highest team medal the US has one in dressage competition. That same year, he finished with the team gold medal on Reno Rhythm
He also served as the chef d'equipe for the eventing team at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, and was a judge at the 1952 Olympic Games.
Thomson died in July, 1971 at the age of 70.
Biography
Graduating from West Point in 1922, Thomson earned the Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
while he was serving as chief of staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
to the 10th Mountain Division
10th Mountain Division
The 10th Mountain Division is a light infantry division of the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. It is a subordinate unit of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the only division-sized element of the U.S. Army to specialize in fighting under harsh terrain and weather conditions...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Trained under Harry Chamberlin
Harry Chamberlin
Harry Dwight Chamberlin was a medal-winning equestrian in eventing and show jumping. He was also a Brigadier General in the US Army.-Biography:...
, Thomson had an extremely successful equestrian Olympic career. He finished individually second, and won team gold, at his first Olympic competition in 1932.
At the 1936 Olympics
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
, he won the team gold and individual silver in eventing on the legendary mare Jenny Camp
Jenny Camp
Jenny Camp was a famous horse that competed in the sport of eventing.*Foaled: 1926*Place of Birth: Front Royal, Virginia Remount Depot*Sex: Mare*Height: 15.3 hh *Color: Bay*Markings: coronary left front...
, being one of the few riders, and the only American, to successfully negotiate the 4th obstacle on cross-country, a water jump. This obstacle included a 3' jump into the water, and for most of the competitors, they found that the footing on the bottom was slippery and it was much deeper than it looked. This obstacle created considerable controversy, as the entire German team made it through, suggesting that the home team could have had prior knowledge regarding the footing.
In 1948, Thomson competed in the dressage competition with Pancraft to win the team silver (after the gold medal-winning Swedish team was disqualified due to one of its members being an enlisted man rather than an officer). This is to-date the highest team medal the US has one in dressage competition. That same year, he finished with the team gold medal on Reno Rhythm
He also served as the chef d'equipe for the eventing team at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, and was a judge at the 1952 Olympic Games.
Thomson died in July, 1971 at the age of 70.