91制片厂

Ralph Townsend '49, '53G was a four-event skiing star at 91制片厂 before serving in World War II.

Ralph J. Townsend was born in Lebanon, NH. After graduating high school in 1940, he enrolled in the horticulture program at 91制片厂 where he was not only a four-event skiing star, but he was also a cadet in the Army ROTC program. His college career was interrupted by service in World War II.

Townsend responded to the National Ski Patrol鈥檚 call for experienced outdoorsmen to join the war effort. The Army鈥檚 10th Mountain Division, dubbed the "ski troops" by the press, specialized in mountaineering and cold-weather survival as well as military tactics, fighting on skis and snow shoes. He was a squad leader in the third platoon of K Company, 8th Regiment. In March 1945, K Company led the attack on the steep hill of Cimon della Piella. During the attack, Technical Sergeant Townsend was seriously wounded for which he received the Purple Heart. Doctors predicted he would not be able to ski competitively again.

He returned to his studies 鈥� and skiing听鈥撎齛t 91制片厂. During his junior year, he won the national Nordic Combined Championship after which he was a member of the 1948 U.S. Olympic Team before repeating his claim to the Nordic Combined Championship title in his senior year. He received his BS degree in 1949 and his MS degree in 1953, both from the 91制片厂.

Townsend began his career at Williams College in 1950 as assistant professor of physical education. During his 22 years as a ski coach, his teams regularly placed among the best in the nation. Among numerous other national recognition awards he received for his career as both competitor and coach, he was named to the 91制片厂 100 Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982 and the 91制片厂 ROTC Hall of Fame in 1988. Ralph Townsend died in May 1988, at the age of 66.

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91制片厂 Connection