George Lermond
American long-distance runner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George William Lermond (November 29, 1904 – July 6, 1940) was an American long-distance runner. He competed in the men's 5000 metres at the 1924 Summer Olympics.[2]
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November 29, 1904
As a West Point cadet | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | George William Lermond November 29, 1904 |
| Died | July 6, 1940 (aged 35) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Long-distance running |
Events | 5000 metres 10,000 metres 3000 metres steeplechase |
| College team | Boston College |
| Coached by | Jack Ryder |
Early life
A native of Nahant, Massachusetts, Lermond attended Boston College High School and Boston College.[3] His brother, Leo Lermond was also a long-distance runner.[4]
Track
Lermond was a member of the Boston College Eagles track and field team. As a junior, he won the three-mile race at the Millrose Games.[5] He won the six mile race at the 1925 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.[6] At the 1932 Eastern United States trials, Lermond broke the world record for the 3000 metres steeplechase.[7] He finished next to last in the same event at the final tryouts in Palo Alto, California and did not make that year's Olympic team.[8][9] He won the 3 miles at the 1932 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships and the 5000 metres at the 1933 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships.[6]
Military career
Congressman James A. Gallivan secured Lermond an appointment to the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1930.[6] In 1934, he married Edith V. Lloyd, the daughter of a United States Army Medical Corps officer.[10] They had three children.[6] The family lived in China while Lermond was attached to the 15th Infantry Regiment. They were in Tianjin during the Battle of Beiping–Tianjin.[11] By 1940, he was a captain and stationed at Fort Lewis.[6]
Death
On July 6, 1940, Lermond, his wife, and children were staying at the home of his wife's parents. A fire broke out in the house and Lermond rushed into the nursery and removed his four-year old son, William, and 15-month old daughter, Edith. Lermond went back for George Lermond Jr., but was overcome by smoke and they both died in the fire.[6] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, after President Franklin Roosevelt gave his permission.[12][13]
