NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME

COLORADO CHAPTER

Colleges Attended:

• University of Colorado
• U.S. Naval Academy
• Naval Post Graduate School

College Wrestling Career:

• Delta (Colorado) High School - 4 years, Co-Captain
• University of Colorado - 1 year
• U.S. Naval Academy - 4 years, Captain
• Two-time EIWA place winner

At age 15, John (known as Mike) saw a construction worker fall into the Colorado River, flounder and be swept downstream by the current. Mike dove from a bridge abutment into the cold waters of the river and swam to the man who could not swim a stroke. Mike was able to pull the man to safety about a quarter of a mile downstream and saved the man from certain death.

After graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, Mike began his military flying career. He flew 179 combat missions against heavily defended targets in North Vietnam before being downed by enemy gunfire on June 30, 1967. Severely injured in the ejection with a broken back, a dislocated knee, a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder, Mike was captured and tortured in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. He would not receive medical treatment for the next six years.

Mike earned many awards and decorations for heroism during his years in combat prior to being captured. These awards include the Legion of Merit with combat "V," two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Star Medals with combat "V," two Purple Heart Medals, 17 Air Medals and four awards of the Navy Commendation Medal.

Shortly before he retired from the Navy, Mike had another opportunity to display courage in the face of an adversity. While at anchor, a patrol boat crushed the gangway of his vessel due to rough seas. Two women were thrown into the water between the two vessels. Mike quickly descended hand-over-hand down the collapsed gangway to the patrol boat where he grabbed a life preserver, jumped into the water between the crashing hulls and pulled the two women to safety. For his action, he was awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Medal for heroism.