Check Six: Guard Olympians – John Beaumont

John Herbert Beaumont (January 7, 1924 – September 19, 2000) was an American sports shooter. He competed in the 25 metre pistol event at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. He took seventh place against the best pistol shooters in the world.

MSgt Beaumont (third from left), part of a F-86 ground crew

Captains Beaumont (L) and Harold Mattos at a Guard function. Mattos later became the Commander of the 154th Consolidated Maintenance Squadron (154 CAMRON)

MSgt Beaumont at the range

click on photographs to enlarge

A September 14, 2000 Star Bulletin article reports John was the oldest Hawaiian Olympian at age 31 years. John joined the Hawaii Air National Guard in early 1956 before being selected for the Olympic team. The 1956 Summer Olympics ran from November 22 through December 8.

John graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy and served during World War II. He enlisted in the Hawaii Air National Guard and rose to the rank of master sergeant.  He later received a direct commission. He served for 30 years and retired in 1986 as a major. (His obituary incorrectly reports this retirement date as in the 1950s.)

John joined the Outrigger Canoe Club in 1938. He was an outstanding athletic and excelled in surfing, paddling, volleyball, golf or motorcycle racing. John was selected as a member of the prestigious Winged “O”.

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