2-time Olympic bronze medalist (1948 London, 1952 Helsinki) in the decathlon

-Only North Carolina male to earn 2 Olympic medals
 

- Only 6 North Carolinians have ever won an Olympic track medal
 

- Only  1 other North Carolinian has ever earned 2 Olympic track medals (Melissa Morrison, who is in the Hall of Fame, is the only North Carolina female to win 2 Olympic track medals)

- 2-time NCHSAA state champion in the 120-yard hurdles (1941, 1942), running a then-state meet record of 14.9, which stood for 20 years.

1942 Duke Invitational champion in the 880-yard relay

(During its 9-year tenure, the Duke Invitational was the most prestigious high school meet in North Carolina, and one of the most prestigious in the South, annually drawing teams from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky and Florida.

- 1946 NCAA All-American (North Carolina) in the 220-yard hurdles

- Inducted North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, 1973

- Inducted Greater Charlotte Sports Hall of Fame, 2004

- Inducted Staunton Military Academy Hall of Fame

- World War II veteran and Purple Heart and Battle Stars recipient, serving in the 10th Mountain Division.