Biography
Education/Training
Byron Krieger was a Detroit native who graduated from Northwestern High School where he began his fencing instruction. At age 16, Byron became the youngest fencer to reach the State Championship finals where he placed 3rd in foil. At Wayne State University, under Coach Sal de Tuscan, Byron went on to become the university’s first fencing All-American, He was 62-7 in dual meets at Wayne State including 30-0 in foil.
Fencing Career
Krieger was selected to referee Latin American Games in Venezuela and Guatemala. He served for many years as both President of the Michigan Division of the Amateur Fencers' League and the Salle de Tuscan Fencing Club. He officiated at state and intercollegiate matches. His official Olympic jacket, warm-up suit, and press photographs are on loan at the American Museum of Fencing. Byron's 1952 Olympic Team photo is displayed in the Wall of Champions at the Fencers Club of New York where he trained.
Byron had a long career with the Internal Revenue Service in Detroit and retired in 1979 as Associate Chief Appeals. He then opened a full-time private practice.
Byron and his wife, Jocelyn Ruth, were founding members of the Young Israel of Southfield, Michigan. They were actively involved with the Detroit Chabad community before moving to Florida for retirement.
Byron Krieger died in November 2015 from injuries sustained in a home fire. He was survived by his loving wife, 6 children,16 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a niece and nephew. His legacy lives on.
Byron Krieger was a Detroit native who graduated from Northwestern High School where he began his fencing instruction. At age 16, Byron became the youngest fencer to reach the State Championship finals where he placed 3rd in foil. At Wayne State University, under Coach Sal de Tuscan, Byron went on to become the university’s first fencing All-American, He was 62-7 in dual meets at Wayne State including 30-0 in foil.
Fencing Career
- Wayne State University's first fencing All-American.
- Won NCAA foil championship in 1942
- 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games
- At the 1952 Helsinki Games, Krieger competed in the team foil event and the U.S. reached the quarterfinals.
- At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, he competed in the team and individual foil event finishing 4th overall.
- Competed in the matches against France and Italy. Among Krieger's teammates at both the 1952 and 1956 Games were International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame members, Albert Axelrod and Daniel Bukantz.
- Placed sixth in the 1951 Pan-American Games foil and sabre competition as the USA teams won both events, and placed second in the epee while he fenced 110 bouts.
- Gold medal in foil and sabre in the 1957 Maccabbi Games (Israel).
- 55 State and Midwest titles in all three fencing weapons including all three weapons in the same year five times.
- Detroit Sports Guild Outstanding Athlete Award in 1951
- Elected to Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1974 (one of six original inductees).
- Elected to Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 (West Bloomfield, Michigan). He was officially rated as one of the nation's top 10 fencers for 15 years during his career.
Krieger was selected to referee Latin American Games in Venezuela and Guatemala. He served for many years as both President of the Michigan Division of the Amateur Fencers' League and the Salle de Tuscan Fencing Club. He officiated at state and intercollegiate matches. His official Olympic jacket, warm-up suit, and press photographs are on loan at the American Museum of Fencing. Byron's 1952 Olympic Team photo is displayed in the Wall of Champions at the Fencers Club of New York where he trained.
Byron had a long career with the Internal Revenue Service in Detroit and retired in 1979 as Associate Chief Appeals. He then opened a full-time private practice.
Byron and his wife, Jocelyn Ruth, were founding members of the Young Israel of Southfield, Michigan. They were actively involved with the Detroit Chabad community before moving to Florida for retirement.
Byron Krieger died in November 2015 from injuries sustained in a home fire. He was survived by his loving wife, 6 children,16 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a niece and nephew. His legacy lives on.
