The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-04-20
(Reg. U. s. Pat. Off.) nv IACK emmy

Limited Press Stair COffeSpOndenU
 New York, April 20. (UP) - It. Col. Tommy Hitchcock, the Prince of Polo" who died in an airplane crash at Salisbury, Eng, was one of the most fabulous 1lg- ures In American sports history.
 This he'll flor leather millionaire clubman, who constantly courted danger, galloped to fame as Polo's greatest all-ti1ne American player; meanwhile democratizing the game and bringing polo to the people.
 Ten-Goal Tommy was the young est Allied combat flyer in the First World War - decorated, shot down, wounded, imprisoned and escaped; and he was perhaps the oldest American combat flyer in the cur rent war.
 Plenty of Man
 Because of his wealth and social position, Hitchcock could have lived 8 life of leisure in sheltered Secur- ity. But his heritage and his truly American yen for lusty action pre- vented this. Although most noted for his exploits in the saddle or in the air, he went all out in shelving the stiff shirt for the sweat shirt, and participated in boxing, football, hockey, golf and tennis.
 Hitchcock - a sturdy six-footer with blue eyes, a shock of unruly light brown hair and an arniable smile - generally was rated the greatest American polo player of all time for two reasons: O Although most distinguished as a No. 3, he could play any position on the field - well; and (2) he was ranked aS 10-goal performer foe 1S years. Closest approach to this 18 was Foxhau Keene's 14.
 Hitchcock was the Babe Ruth, the Jack Dempsey, the Bill Tilden, the Bobby Jones of his sport because of his prowess with pony and mal- let. But he did even more than any of them in trying to popularize his particular pastime. When Dev- ereux Milburn withdrew from inter- national competition in 1927, Hitch cock became benevolent dictator of the game. He broke down the social barriers that had virtually restricted membership on the big time teams to blue -blooded eastern CTS. Hence it was that two cow punchers from the Texas Pan- hnadle-Rube Williams and Cecil Smith-were eligible to play in 1880 against Captain Pat Roafk'S British challengers. This created temblor among teasupS of the Swanky set, but Hitchcock stuck to his guns.
 The combination of the dashing westerners and modern press agen- try interested the public to such an extent that more than 40,000 turned out for the final match of the 1880 series.
 In the Blood
 Hitchcock was born to the saddle. His father, for whom Tommy was named, was one of the country's best known horsemen-a great steeplechase trainer. His mother, Mrs. Louise Eustis Hitchcock, was a noted horsewoman who organized Americas first women's polo team. Born at Aiken, s. C., Tommy was put on a poy at the age of three. He played in his first match at 13. He was an international star before 20. He was ranked as a 10-goaler from 1922 through '34, inclusive. Then from '36 through 40. He re- tired from competition in Al.
 Tn an interview in '38, he said, Polo is exciting, but you can't compare it to flying in war time. But you've got to be young to fight in the air. wouldn't enjoy it now. It would be a painful duty"
 Ten-goal Tommy answered the call of duty, and, at the age of A, was killed in a crash while com mander of Psi Mustang fighter group. He died a service hero and a sports immortal.