Ronald Zinn

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Ronald Lloyd "Ron" Zinn (May 10, 1939 – July 7, 1965) was a race walker from the United States, who represented his native country at two Summer Olympics, starting in 1960. His best finish was sixth place in the men's 20 km walk at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He came in third in the 20 km event at the 1963 Pan American Games.

Ronald Zinn
Ronald Zinn
Personal information
Full nameRonald Lloyd Zinn
NicknameRon
NationalityAmerican
Born(1939-05-10)May 10, 1939
Peoria, Illinois
DiedJuly 7, 1965(1965-07-07) (aged 26)
War Zone D, South Vietnam
Alma materUnited States Military Academy
OccupationUnited States Army Captain
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight150 lb (68 kg)
Medal record
Men's Athletics
Representing the  United States
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 1963 Sao Paulo 20km Walk

Ron Zinn was born in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1962 and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Zinn was killed in a firefight in War Zone D while serving as platoon leader B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. He held the rank of Lieutenant at the time of his death.[1]

Camp Zinn, an Army base east of Bien Hoa Air Base, was named in his honor. Additionally, USA Track and Field annually recognizes the top male and female race walker in the country with an award bearing his name.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "U.S. Track Star Slain in Vietnam; Lieut. Ronald Zinn, 26, Was Walking-Race Champion". The New York Times. 14 July 1965.
  2. ^ Kelley, Michael (2002). Where We Were In Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 561. ISBN 1-55571-625-3.

Sources edit