Bob Richards was the returning bronze medalist. His closest domestic competitor was Don Laz, who shared the US championship earlier in the year after 4 years of Richards dominance. In the final both remained clean to 4.40m, just ahead of Ragnar Lundberg and Petro Denysenko, who each had one miss earlier.
Bob Richards successfully defended his bronze medal position. His nearest domestic opponent was Don Laz, who had previously won the US championship title earlier in the year after a four-year period of dominance by Richards. In the final, both athletes remained error-free to 4.40m, just ahead of Ragnar Lundberg and Petro Denysenko, who each made one mistake.