Wilbur Thompson
American track and field athlete, gold medal in shot put at the 1948 Summer Olympics
About Wilbur Thompson
Lived 1921 – 2013 (aged 92). Wilbur Thompson was an American athletics competitor.
Wilbur Marvin "Moose" Thompson (April 6, 1921 – December 25, 2013) was an American shot putter who won a gold medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics, leading an American sweep of the medals.
While studying at Modesto Junior College, Thompson won the national junior college title in 1939 and 1940. He then served in the US Army during World War II, and in 1946 placed second at the NCAA championships while at USC. He held a world ranking of #6 in 1947, #2 in 1948, #3 in 1949 and #4 in 1950. Thompson graduated with a master's degree in petroleum engineering and later worked in the oil production and at the California State Lands Commission.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Wilbur Thompson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Wilbur Thompson?
American track and field athlete, gold medal in shot put at the 1948 Summer Olympics (1921-2013)
When was Wilbur Thompson born?
Wilbur Thompson was born on 6 April 1921 in Frankfort.
When did Wilbur Thompson die?
Wilbur Thompson died on 25 December 2013 in Los Angeles.
What was Wilbur Thompson's occupation?
Wilbur Thompson was an athletics competitor.
What nationality was Wilbur Thompson?
Wilbur Thompson was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Wilbur Thompson. https://biography.guide/wilbur-thompson/
MLA: "Wilbur Thompson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/wilbur-thompson/.
Chicago: "Wilbur Thompson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/wilbur-thompson/.
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