Linn Farish

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameLinn Markley•Farish
Used nameLinn•Farish
Born3 October 1901 in Rumsey, California (USA)
Died11 September 1944 in near Athina, Attiki (GRE)
Measurements88 kg
AffiliationsStanford Cardinal, Stanford (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Linn Farish attended Stanford where he played football and rugby, and studied geology. After graduation he became a top geologist and petroleum consultant, but he became famous for his war exploits. As an engineer and expert pilot, Farish was sent into Yugoslavia as a secret agent. He mapped out the area and located many areas which, although dangerous, could be used as landing strips. He then flew in and out of Yugoslavia, rescuing hundreds of fliers who had bailed out of crippled planes in the Balkans. He spent three 90-day periods in Yugoslavia, each time parachuting in, and then surveying the area by plane, looking for appropriate landing strips. On the third of these trips, his plane crashed in the Balkan Mountains. He was given the Distinguished Service Cross and the government’s code of secrecy towards the actions of secret agents was broken, so that his name could be released as a military hero.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1924 Summer Olympics Rugby (Rugby) USA Linn Farish
Rugby, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold

Special Notes