John R. Foster

Hall of Fame

Date of birth:

9/13/1936

Hometown:

Muskegon, Michigan

Olympic Experience:

  • 1960 Olympic Games - 7th - 300m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1968 Olympic Games - 4th - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1968 Olympic Games - 7th - 300m Free Rifle 3x40

Biography:

Foster began shooting at the early age of 15, and his first registered tournament was in 1953 at the National Matches at Camp Perry. At 18 Foster graduated from Northeastern High School, and then attended and graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Forestry in 1958. While at the University of Montana, Foster was a four year member of the ROTC/varsity rifle team at Montana and was an All-American Rifle Team member three times. After graduating college, Foster began his military career through shooting, joining the Army Marksmanship Unit and shooting as a part of the team for eighteen years. Aside from the Unit, Foster also served in Vietnam as the OIC for the 101st Airborne Division's Sniper Unit.

Aside from a successful military career, Foster also was heavily involved in the international rifle organizations. Foster served as Assistant Team Manager for the 1976 Olympic Shooting Team, and as a member of the International Shooting Union's rifle committee from 1976 to 1984 (as chairman from 1978-1984).

He met his wife Trish while shooting in Fort Benning, where she was also an athlete and shot on both the 1966 and 1970 World Championship teams. They have two children, Jean and Anne. Jean was a National Team member for rifle.

Competition Highlights:

  • 1961 World Moving Target Championships - Gold - 100m Running Deer doubles
  • 1961 World Moving Target Championships - Silver team - 100m Running Deer doubles
  • 1961 World Moving Target Championships - Silver team - 100m Running Deer singles
  • 1962 World Shooting Championships - Silver - 100m Running Deer doubles
  • 1962 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 100m Running Deer doubles
  • 1962 World Shooting Championships - Silver team- 100m Running Deer singles
  • 1966 World Shooting Championships - Gold - 300m Free Rifle Kneeling (World Record)
  • 1966 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle 3x40 (World Record - team)
  • 1966 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 50m Standard Rifle 3x20
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Gold - 300m Standard Rifle 3x20 (World Record)
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 300m Standard Rifle 3x20
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 10m Air Rifle
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver - 300m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle Standing
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver - 300m Free Rifle Standing
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver team- 50m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver team- 50m Free Rifle Kneeling
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver - 50m Free Rifle Kneeling
  • 1970 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 50m Free Rifle Standing
  • 1973 Championships of the Americas - Silver team - 10m Air Rifle
  • 1973 Championships of the Americas - Gold team - 50m Standard Rifle 3x20
  • 974 World Shooting Championships - Gold - 300m Free Rifle Kneeling
  • 1974 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 300m Free Rifle Kneeling
  • 1974 World Shooting Championships - Silver - 300m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle 3x40
  • 1974 World Shooting Championships - Silver - 300m Free Rifle Standing
  • 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle Standing
  • 1974 World Shooting Championships - Bronze - 300m Standard Rifle 3x20
  • 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Standard Rifle 3x20 (World Record)
  • 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle Prone
  • 1977 Championships of the Americas - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle 3x40