The Spokane Olympian Who Shot Off His Hand and Transformed the American Army

After losing his right hand in a hunting accident at age 30, Spokane’s James A. Drain relearned to shoot lefthanded, eventually leading the USA to a marksmanship gold medal in the 1908 Olympics.

But Drain’s story – inspirational, but also influential – doesn’t stop there. He transformed Washington State’s National Guard into a professional force, then joined President Teddy Roosevelt’s team of military reformers in revamping the Army’s structure and training. The changes paved the way for American success in World War I, and endure to this day.

In this talk, explore Drain’s remarkable story of trauma, grit, and growth, his northwest roots, and the history he helped create.