Samuel Alapai Kahanamoku ( November 4 , 1902 -- April 26 , 1966 ) was an American competition swimmer who represented the United States at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris , where he won a bronze medal in the men 's 100 - meter freestyle event .
Samuel Alapai Kahanamoku ( November 4 , 1902 -- April 26 , 1966 ) was an American competition swimmer who represented the United States at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris . 
 In the 1924 Olympics he won a bronze medal in the 100 - meter freestyle event .