David Browning

David Browning
Browning at the 1952 Olympics
Personal information
Full nameDavid Greig Browning Jr.
NicknameSkippy
Born(1931-06-05)June 5, 1931
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.[1]
DiedMarch 13, 1956(1956-03-13) (aged 24)
Near Rantoul, Kansas, U.S.[1]
EducationBusiness administration, University of Texas
OccupationUnited States Naval Aviator
Years active1948–1956
Sport
SportDiving
EventSpringboard diving
University teamUniversity of Texas
ClubTexas Longhorns[1]
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals1952
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1952 Helsinki Springboard
Representing Texas
NCAA
Gold medal – first place 1951 Austin 1 meter diving
Gold medal – first place 1951 Austin 3 meter diving
Gold medal – first place 1952 Princeton 1 meter diving
Gold medal – first place 1952 Princeton 3 meter diving
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.[2][3] After his Olympic victory in Helsinki, Browning shinnied up a flag pole to steal an Olympic flag and was arrested.[4]

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 a North American FJ Fury jet carrier fighter when the plane crashed near Rantoul, Kansas, killing Browning.[3] At the time, he was scheduled to be reassigned to Los Angeles to begin training for the 1956 Summer Olympics.[5]

Browning was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1975.[5] His father was his coach and instructor.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Skippy Browning". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020.
  2. ^ "Diving results for the 1952 Summer Olympics". databaseOlympics.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "BROWNING, DAVID GREIG, JR". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  4. ^ Wallechinsky, David; Loucky, Jaime (2012). The Complete Book of the Olympics 2012 Edition. London: Aurum Press. p. 593. ISBN 978-1-84513-695-6.
  5. ^ a b "David "Skippy" Browning (USA) – 1975 Honor Diver". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame. 1975. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2012.

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