Eugene Vidal was both a competitor and coach in the 1920 and 1924 Olympics, but he is best known for his contributions to the world of aviation.
Vidal worked for Transcontinental Air Transport, which later became TWA. He also helped create Eastern Airlines and Northeast Airlines. His contacts included Charles Lindbergh and Franklin Roosevelt.
Vidal was also close friends and business partners with Amelia Earhart. It is rumored that they had a romantic relationship before Earhart’s disappearance in 1937.
From 1933 to 1937 Eugene Vidal served as director of the US Bureau of Air Commerce. As director, he pushed for expansion of civil air travel and infrastructure for airlines.
His son was political commentator Gore Vidal.
The Eugene Vidal papers at UW’s American Heritage Center include his Olympic medals.