Michael, Don

He was a three-sport letterman at Lexington. graduating in 1965. Teammates describe him as someone who is an example of what athletics is all about. They say he maximized his ability in football, basketball and baseball. He started at defensive end and on the offensive line in football, earning All-Wheeler Basin Conference honors as a senior in 1964. He played forward in basketball, always defending against the opponents best inside player. He averaged double digits in rebounding and about eight points a game scoring. A newspaper article showed that he had 26 rebounds in one game. He played an instrumental role in leading Lexington to the final four in the state basketball tournament in 1965. He had 176 rebounds in one state tournament game and was voted to the All-State Tournament Team. He played first base for the baseball team. His life ended on April 8, 1961, at the age of 19 when he rushed an enemy unit during a battle in Vietnam. His heroic act that day earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest honor bestowed on a military person. He is the only person from Lauderdale County to receive the Congressional Medal.