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Rafer Johnson

Chronology



1935 Born August 18, in Hillsboro, Texas
1945 Relocates to California with family
1952 Enters University of California at Los Angeles
1958 Travels to Moscow to participate in first-ever United States-Soviet track meet
1960 Carries U.S. flag during opening ceremonies at the Rome Olympics; appears in first feature film, Sergeant Rutledge
1968 Disarms Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan
1969 Serves as founding board member, California Special Olympics
1971 Marries Betsy Thorsen
1984 Lights Olympic flame at opening ceremonies of Los Angeles Summer Games
1998 Publishes autobiography
2000 Travels to Sydney, Australia, to watch daughter compete as Olympic volleyball player

Additional topics

Famous Sports StarsTrack and FieldRafer Johnson Biography - Standout Athlete, Marched Into Stadium, Chronology, Opening Ceremony Honoree Again, Contact Information, Awards And Accomplishments - SELECTED WRITINGS BY JOHNSON: