Don Holleder
| Donald Holleder | |
|---|---|
Holleder on the cover of Sports Illustrated
|
|
| Born |
August 3, 1934 Buffalo, New York |
| Died | October 17, 1967 (aged 33) Ong Thanh, Vietnam |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1956–1967 |
| Rank |
 Major
|
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars |
Vietnam War *Battle of Ong Thanh † |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
Donald Walter Holleder (August 3, 1934 – October 17, 1967) was an American college football star while attending the United States Military Academy and later assistant football coach for the United States Military Academy, who was later killed in the Vietnam War.
Holleder was born in Buffalo, New York, and at age 13, he and his family moved to Irondequoit, New York. He attended high school at the Aquinas Institute in nearby Rochester. He was heavily recruited by a number of top college football recruiters, including West Point's offensive coach Vince Lombardi.
He elected to enroll at the United States Military Academy at West Point. As a junior in 1954, he was named to the All-America team as an end. The following season, Army head coach Colonel Red Blaik asked him to move to quarterback. Holleder clearly lacked the skills to be a productive passer, but Blaik felt that his leadership skills were important and would help the struggling team improve. Blaik's move was ridiculed but it paid off. The team finished with a record of 6-3-0, including a rousing upset of Navy that led to Holleder's appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
One of Holleder's classmates at West Point was General Norman Schwarzkopf. They both graduated in the Class of 1956.
The New York Giants selected Holleder in the 1956 NFL Draft college draft. However, Holleder was not interested in a professional football career.
After graduating West Point, he continued to serve in the U.S. Army. Over the next ten years, he rose to the rank of Major, serving posts in Hawaii and Korea, and in between returning to West Point for three years as an assistant football coach, recruiter, and scout.
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