Earl "Tommy" THOMSON

Earl Thomson’s record of five Olympic medals is matched only by Michael Plumb among American Olympic equestrians. Originally a member of the 8th Cavalry polo team alongside Harry Chamberlin, Chamberlin acted as a mentor to Thompson and brought him into the US equestrian team. Thomson also holds the record of being the oldest American to win an Olympic equestrian gold medal. Thomson was a West Point graduate who served as chief of staff for the 10th Mountain Division during World War II. After the war, he served in Europe for several years before retiring in 1954 as a full colonel.