Emelyn Whiton

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameEmelyn Thatcher•Whiton (Leonard-, -Righter)
Used nameEmelyn•Whiton
Born1 March 1916 in New York, New York (USA)
Died1 March 1962 in Jamaica Bay, New York, New York (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Emelyn Whiton won a gold medal in sailing at the 1952 Olympics when she served as a crew member for her husband, Herman Whiton, aboard the Llanoria in the 6-metre class. Emelyn married Herman in 1939, but they divorced in 1957, although she re-married Brewster Righter in 1958. On 1 March 1962, her 46th birthday, Whiton boarded American Airline Flight #1 flying from Idlewild (now JFK) Airport in New York to Los Angeles. Two minutes after take-off the plane crashed into a swamp, killing all 87 occupants aboard, including Emelyn Whiton.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Summer Olympics Sailing USA Emelyn Whiton
6 metres, Open (Olympic) Llanoria 1 Gold

Olympic family relations

Special Notes