David Browning

David Browning

David "Skippy" Browning
Personal information
Full name David Greig Browning, Jr.
Nickname(s) Skippy
Nationality United States
Born June 5, 1931
Boston, Massachusetts
Died March 13, 1956 (aged 24)
Near Rantoul, Kansas
Education Business administration, University of Texas
Occupation United States Naval Aviator
Years active 1948–1956
Sport
Sport Diving
Event(s) Springboard diving
University team University of Texas
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals 1952
Updated on 25 July 2012.

David Greig "Skippy" Browning, Jr. (June 5, 1931 – March 13, 1956) was a diver from the United States and Olympic champion. He represented the US at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, where he received a gold medal in springboard diving.[1][2] After his Olympic victory in Helsinki Browning shinnied up a flag pole to steal an Olympic flag and was arrested.[3]

Browning married Corinne L. Couch on September 7, 1950. In January 1953 he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in business administration. In June 1955 he received his wings as a pilot in the United States Navy at Pensacola, Florida. On March 13, 1956, he was on a training flight in an AFJS Fury jet carrier fighter when the plane crashed near Rantoul, Kansas, killing Browning.[2] At the time, he was scheduled to be reassigned to Los Angeles to begin training for the 1956 Summer Olympics.[4]

Awards

Browning was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1975.[4]

References

  1. "Diving results for the 1952 Summer Olympics". databaseSports.com. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "BROWNING, DAVID GREIG, JR.". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  3. Wallechinsky, David; Loucky, Jaime (2012). The Complete Book of the Olympics 2012 Edition. London: Aurum Press. p. 593. ISBN 978 1 84513 695 6.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "David "Skippy" Browning (USA) 1975 Honor Diver". ISHOF, Inc. 1975. Retrieved July 25, 2012.