Carl Townsend OSBURN

Among American male Olympians, Carl Osburn trails only Michael Phelps, through 2016, in terms of Olympic medals won, and only Mark Spitz, Matt Biondi, Phelps, and fellow shooters Willis Lee and Lloyd Spooner won more medals at one Olympics than the six Osburn won at the 1920 Olympics.

Competing in three Olympics (1912-24), Osburn won five gold, four silver and two bronze medals, for 11 in all. Osburn attended the US Naval Academy, graduating in 1906. He then launched a career as a career officer in the Navy, which eventually saw him reach the rank of Commander before retiring in 1939. In 1915, he became a member of the crew of the USS Mayflower, the Presidential yacht until 1931. When the United States entered World War II, Osburn returned to active duty, serving as the War Plans Officer of the 12th Naval District, San Francisco. During retirement he resided in Napa Valley, California. Besides his Olympic shooting success, he competed internationally for the United States at the World Championships in 1921-24, winning eight titles, and at the Pan-American matches of 1913. In 1994 he was inducted into the US Shooting Hall of Fame.