Richard Mayo was introduced to the modern pentathlon by Maj. William Rose, one of the sport’s earliest administrators and proponents in this country. Mayo was a cross-country runner and captain of the fencing team at West Point, when Rose spotted his potential for this diverse event. At the 1928 Olympics, Mayo finished a disappointing 19th, largely because he was 37th, and last, in riding. In 1931, as part of his training for the 1932 Olympics, he spent the entire year at the Cavalry School at Ft. Riley Kansas. This dedication paid off with a second place in riding at Los Angeles and put him in the lead after four events, but a pulled Achilles tendon caused him to finish 17th in running and dropped him to the bronze medal, overall. Mayo became a career military officer, commanding the 15th Army in France and Germany during World War II. He retired in 1956, having achieved the rank of brigadier general.
United States