By David Spunt Reporter
Paula Randall, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit
Fort Benning, GA--A former U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit shooter has been named to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. He is the first Olympic shooter ever selected.Paula Randall, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit
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Stumble It!Retired Army Lt. Col. Lones W. Wigger Jr., 70, of USA Shooting of Colorado Springs, Colo., will become a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and will be honored at a ceremony June 19 in Chicago, Ill.
"It's a tremendous honor to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and especially to represent the shooting sports," said Wigger.
"I am overwhelmed and can hardly believe it. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and supported me,” he said.
Wigger was selected to four U.S. Olympic Teams and won three Olympic Medals.
During his shooting career, Wigger won 111 medals (65 Gold, 38 Silver and eight Bronze) and set 29 world records in international competition.
This was more than any other shooter in the world.
He is a member of the USA Shooting Hall of Fame, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Hall of Fame and was also honored in 1996 by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
He is a two-tour Vietnam Veteran and spent 25 years on active duty.
As a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Wigger competed at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico.
Also in the1972 Olympic Games in Munich, where he won a combined two Gold Medals and one Silver Medal. He also qualified for the 1980 Olympic Team.
Wigger also competed on five Pan-American Games teams, where he won five Silver and 13 Gold medals.
At the 1982, 1978, 1974 and 1970 World Championships, Wigger won 12 medals - two Gold, six Silver and four Bronze.
He started shooting with his father in Montana. At Montana State College, he was a four-time All-American and enrolled in Army ROTC.
Wigger joined the Army in 1960 and after his basic course was assigned to the Army Marksmanship Unit.
He shot for the USAMU International Rifle Team until 1967. After a tour in Vietnam, he returned to the Marksmanship Unit and shot until 1970.
Wigger again deployed to Vietnam and served as the officer in charge of the 23rd Infantry Division Sniper School.
He then returned to the USAMU in 1972 and stayed until his retirement in 1987.
After he retired from the Army, Wigger served as the director of the U.S. Shooting Team until 1992.
He now is a member of the USA Shooting Staff as a coach and representative and works as a match director.
The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Allstate, will be 7 p.m. June 19 at the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater in Chicago.
The ceremony, sponsored by Kleenex and AT&T, will be an awards-show style ceremony and will air in a nationally-televised broadcast this summer.
Tickets to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony can be purchased at www.usolympichalloffame.com.
