He made history by becoming the first man to vault over 16 feet – on February 2, 1962, at the Millrose Games in New York's Madison Square Garden, before a sold-out crowd, Uelses soared over the bar at 16' 1/4", making headlines around the world.

In the spring, the Marine Corps approved his travel to compete at the outdoor meet at Santa Barbara Relays in California.

He spent most of his early years as a refugee escaping from World War II with his mother, sister, and brother.

Life was difficult for refugees in war-torn Europe and at 12, Uelses was sent to live with a great-aunt and uncle in Miami, Florida.

(Thirteen years later, the mayor of Miami would be handing him the key to the city and proclaiming John Uelses Day.)

There he set university records and won Southeastern Conference titles in pole vault, javelin, and hurdles.

His historic jump at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden made headlines around the world and landed him on the February 26, 1962 cover of Sports Illustrated.

Sports Illustrated decided to put poles to the test using fiberglass, steel, bamboo and aluminum.

They concluded that fiberglass and bamboo were the most efficient pole materials, but that athletic concentration, speed, skill and style were what made the records.

He vaulted and won medals in Brussels, Russia, Poland, Finland, Japan, Germany, and England.

He also was selected to participate in a goodwill exhibition tour of Africa sponsored by the State Department.

[5] After his tour with the Marines, Uelses received a scholarship to La Salle University in Philadelphia.

Upon graduating from La Salle, Uelses served as a United States Naval Officer and aviator.