For extraordinary heroism in action. On 17 October 1967, during Operation Shenandoah II, Major Holleder was serving as Brigade Operations Officer while accompanying his Brigade Commander in the aerial supervision of ground elements. At approximately 1100 hours, the 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, became heavily engaged with elements of two Viet Cong battalions. The fire of the well positioned enemy caused a loss of key personnel, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the friendly unit. The Brigade Commander elected to command the embattled battalion from the ground and landed his helicopter. They then moved forward to reestablish effective command and control of the unit. With complete disregard for his personal safety Major Holleder braved the vicious enemy fire to move through the ranks of the fighting and wounded soldiers, offering them words of encouragement and helping to establish orderly evacuation for the casualties. When the intense sniper fire impeded the evacuation of the wounded, Major Holleder unhesitatingly moved forward to reconnoiter the evacuation route. He refused to take cover from the deadly volleys of insurgent sniper fire and continued to assess the enemy situation until he was mortally wounded by the heavy ground fire. His tremendous courage and poise in the face of overwhelming odds had a stabilizing effect on his men and was instrumental in saving many lives. Major Holleder’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces, was in keeping with the finest traditions of the Military Service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.

Don Holleder gave up a very promising National Football career with the New York Giants to serve his country as an army officer. In his third year at West Point he was honored to be selected as an All-American end. However, in his fourth year, he switched positions and became their number one quarterback at the request of Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik. No easy task but he led the unranked Cadets to a 14-6 upset of Number 11 ranked Navy. Twelve years later, on October 17, 1967,he was killed during the Battle of Ong Thanh while leading a desperate attempt to rescue 142 soldiers and was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously).

On April 27, 2012, he was once again honored. This time it was at Arlington National Cemetery as his Silver Star was upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross. The ceremony took place at his gravesite in front of three of his four daughters and over 70 West Point classmates and Army Vietnam veterans. West Point’s indoor sports facility is also named in his honor.