Walter Stokes

Hall of Fame

Olympic Experience:

  • 1924 Olympic Games - Gold team, 100m Running Deer doubles
  • 1924 Olympic Games - Gold team, 400m-600m-800m Army Rifle

Biography:

Stokes spent his early childhood in central Florida, where his parents operated a hunting and fishing resort. Stokes acquired an early love in the wilderness of his home and learned about hunting from his family and the numerous guests to the family resort.

As he grew older, Stokes moved to Washington D.C. with his family. In 1920, Stokes was already reaching fame in the shooting sports for 300M rifle, dominating the competition nationally. By 1921, he swept every 300M event in the International Shooting Union World Championships. Stokes highlighted his successful rifle career by being a part of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic rifle team in 1924. Along with the team success, Stokes also earned individual bronze.

After his shooting accolades, Stokes entered medical school at George Washington University with a full scholarship, in exchange for being a rifle team coach at the University. Under his direction, the rifle team won the intercollegiate championship.

While in medical school, Stokes focused his studies on family planning and had a large part in contraceptive production. In 1931, after his graduation from medical school, Stokes began training in psychoanalysis and became a practicing psychiatrist in 1935.

Competition Highlights:

  • 1921 World Champion 300m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1921 World Champion 300m Free Rifle Standing
  • 1921 World Champion 300m Free Rifle Kneeling
  • 1921 World Champion 300m Free Rifle Prone
  • 1922 World Champion 300m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1922 World Champion 300m Free Rifle Kneeling
  • 1923 World Champion Team 300m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1923 World Champion Team 300m Free Rifle Prone
  • 1923 World Champion Team 300m Free Rifle Kneeling
  • 1923 World Champion Team 300m Free Rifle Standing
  • 1924 World Champion 300m Free Rifle Prone
  • 1924 World Champion team 300m Free Rifle Prone
  • 1924 World Champion team 300m Free Rifle 3x40