Jimmy Gentle

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJames Cuthbert "Jimmy"•Gentle
Used nameJimmy•Gentle
Born21 July 1904 in Dorchester, Massachusetts (USA)
Died22 May 1986 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)
AffiliationsPhiladelphia Cricket Club
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Representing Philadelphia Cricket Club in 1932, Jimmy Gentle was another example of a U.S. field hockey player coming to the team from another sport. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and played on the soccer team there for three years, being named All-America in his last two years and leading his school to the 1924 intercollegiate championship. Gentle played as an amateur, for the Boston Wonder Workers and the Philadelphia Field Club in the professional American Soccer League and was a non-playing member of the United States squad in the 1930 World Cup. In addition to soccer, Gentle also played football and ran track at Penn. He was a halfback on the 1932 field hockey team and also played on the 1936 team. A member of the Army reserve, he was called up for duty in World War II and served with the 36th infantry throughout the Italian campaign and into the Rhineland. At the end of the war, Gentle served as U.S. trade and industry officer for the American zone of Germany. He left the Army with the rank of colonel in 1956.Gentle later had a very successful career as an insurance salesman, being named to the Million Dollar Round Table.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1932 Summer Olympics Hockey USA Jimmy Gentle
Hockey, Men (Olympic) United States 3 Bronze
1936 Summer Olympics Hockey USA Jimmy Gentle
Hockey, Men (Olympic) United States =10