Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. A sprinter, he twice took top honors for the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympic Games in London, England. Raised in Los Angeles, California, ahewas a gifted runner from a young age despite having to overcome a fractured leg suffered when he was run over by a truck at age eight. After graduating from University High School he spent two years in the US Navy during World War II then accepted a scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC) where he was a five time NCAA champion. Patton captured the 100 yard dash in 1947, the 100 metres in 1948 and 1949, and the 200 metres in 1948 and 1949. In 1948 he set a 100 yard world record at 9.3" and made the covers of "Life" and "Time" magazines but was upset in the 100 metres at the Olympics, finishing fifth. However, he made a comeback, taking Gold in the 200 metre dash and in the 4 x 100 metre relay. He set another world record in the 220 yard dash with a time of 20.2" in 1949, but essentially retired from competition after his college career. Patton served as a track coach at Long Beach City College and at Wichita State University, worked in the electronics industry for a number of years, was elected to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1985, and lived out his days in the San Diego suburbs. At his death from cancer he still held the USC record for the 220 yard dash.
Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. A sprinter, he twice took top honors for the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympic Games in London, England. Raised in Los Angeles, California, ahewas a gifted runner from a young age despite having to overcome a fractured leg suffered when he was run over by a truck at age eight. After graduating from University High School he spent two years in the US Navy during World War II then accepted a scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC) where he was a five time NCAA champion. Patton captured the 100 yard dash in 1947, the 100 metres in 1948 and 1949, and the 200 metres in 1948 and 1949. In 1948 he set a 100 yard world record at 9.3" and made the covers of "Life" and "Time" magazines but was upset in the 100 metres at the Olympics, finishing fifth. However, he made a comeback, taking Gold in the 200 metre dash and in the 4 x 100 metre relay. He set another world record in the 220 yard dash with a time of 20.2" in 1949, but essentially retired from competition after his college career. Patton served as a track coach at Long Beach City College and at Wichita State University, worked in the electronics industry for a number of years, was elected to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1985, and lived out his days in the San Diego suburbs. At his death from cancer he still held the USC record for the 220 yard dash.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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