Gustave Heiss

Épée, the most inconsistent of the three weapons, generally produces a new champion every year, and often a completely new final round. But Gustave Heiss was an extremely consistent fencer in this most inconsistent of disciplines. Introduced to fencing at West Point, Heiss won the 1931 IFA épée individual title. After graduation, he fenced for the New York Fencers Club, and won the AFLA national title in épée individual four times, outdoor épée twice, and was a member of seven national championship teams – all before 1941. Thus, in a 10-year career, Gustave Heiss won six titles in this unpredictable event. Heiss became a career military officer after graduating West Point. During World War II, he was with the First Army, the Third Army, and the 87th Division. On 2 January 1945, at the Battle of the Bulge, he triggered a German “booby trap” that nearly killed him, left him hospitalized for two years, and ended his military and athletic careers. He went on to take up positions in government civil service.