Carl Osburn

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameCarl Townsend•Osburn
Used nameCarl•Osburn
Born5 May 1884 in Jacksontown, Ohio (USA)
Died28 December 1966 in St. Helena, California (USA)
Measurements180 cm
AffiliationsUS Navy, (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 5
Silver 4
Bronze 2
Total 11

Biography

Among American male Olympians, Carl Osburn trails only Michael Phelps, through 2016, in terms of Olympic medals won, and only Mark Spitz, Matt Biondi, Phelps, and fellow shooters Willis Lee and Lloyd Spooner won more medals at one Olympics than the six Osburn won at the 1920 Olympics.

Competing in three Olympics (1912-24), Osburn won five gold, four silver and two bronze medals, for 11 in all. Osburn attended the US Naval Academy, graduating in 1906. He then launched a career as a career officer in the Navy, which eventually saw him reach the rank of Commander before retiring in 1939. In 1915, he became a member of the crew of the USS Mayflower, the Presidential yacht until 1931. When the United States entered World War II, Osburn returned to active duty, serving as the War Plans Officer of the 12th Naval District, San Francisco. During retirement he resided in Napa Valley, California. Besides his Olympic shooting success, he competed internationally for the United States at the World Championships in 1921-24, winning eight titles, and at the Pan-American matches of 1913. In 1994 he was inducted into the US Shooting Hall of Fame.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1912 Summer Olympics Shooting USA Carl Osburn
Free Rifle, Three Positions, 300 metres, Men (Olympic) 17
Military Rifle, Three Positions, 300 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
Military Rifle, Any Position, 600 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
Military Rifle, 200, 400, 500 and 600 metres, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold
Small-Bore Rifle, Any Position, 50 metres, Men (Olympic) 13
Small-Bore Rifle, Prone, 50 metres, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 3 Bronze
Small-Bore Rifle, Disappearing Target, 25 metres, Men (Olympic) 34
1920 Summer Olympics Shooting USA Carl Osburn
Free Rifle, Three Positions, 300 metres, Men (Olympic) 4
Free Rifle, Three Positions, 300 metres, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold
Military Rifle, Prone, 300 metres, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold
Military Rifle, Standing, 300 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Military Rifle, Standing, 300 metres, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 2 Silver
Military Rifle, Prone, 300 and 600 metres, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold
Running Target, Single Shot, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 3 Bronze
Running Target, Double Shot, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 4
1924 Summer Olympics Shooting USA Carl Osburn
Free Rifle, Prone, 600 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver

Special Notes