United States at the 1912 Summer Olympics the first Olympic pentathlon competition. George S. Patton, who would become a famous general during World War II, excelled in the military-influenced set of events. Patton finished in fifth place; he was the only non-Swede among the top seven finishers. Twenty six shooters represented the United States. It was the nation's third appearance in shooting. The Americans won a total of 14 medals, half of which were gold. Only the host nation, Sweden, did better (with two more silver medals and one more bronze). A single tennis player represented the United States at the 1912 Games. It was the nation's
United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics the four events, the United States took only a single bronze medal in the team single shots event. The United States competed in the Olympic tug of war tournament for the third time in 1920, the final appearance of the sport in the Olympics. The Americans joined the British in tying Sweden's mark for most appearances in the short life of tug of war at the Olympics at three of five. The Bergvall System was used in 1920. The Americans lost in the quarterfinals to eventual gold-medallist Great Britain, thus putting the United States in contention for the silver medal.