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 closest domestic opponent was Don Laz, who had previously claimed the US championship title earlier in the year after a four-year reign by Richards. In the final, both athletes performed flawlessly to 4.40m, narrowly edging out Ragnar Lundberg and Petro Denysenko, who each made one mistake.