Colonel Charles C. Tew (1846) first graduate of the college; served as professor and Commandant of the Citadel Academy and Superintendent of the Arsenal Academy, founded Hillsborough Military Academy in North Carolina. Killed in action at the Battle of Antietam in 1862 on the eve of his promotion to brigadier general.
BrigGen Johnson Hagood (1847) commanded Confederate forces in Charleston during the attack on Fort Wagner depicted in the movie Glory. Governor of South Carolina 1880–82 and instrumental in reopening The Citadel after occupation by Federal troops at the end of the Civil War, Johnson Hagood Stadium, where The Citadel plays its home football games, is named for him.
BrigGen Micah Jenkins (1854) First Honor Graduate of his class, one of the "boy generals" aged 26; he was a favorite of General Robert E. Lee, killed in action at the Battle of the Wilderness. Jenkins Hall, which houses the Military Sciences and Commandant's Office is named in his honor
BrigGen Barnwell R. LeggeCBE (1911) One of the most decorated U.S. military members of World War One and Military Atache to Switzerland during World War Two.
Major Thomas D. Howie (1929) Immortalized during World War II as “The Major of St. Lo”; leader of the battalion that captured the strategic city of Saint-Lô, France (where he was killed). Inspiration for the character of Captain John Miller in Saving Private Ryan[2]
General William Westmoreland (1935) Commander of US forces in Vietnam, Chief of Staff of the United States Army; father James R. (1900) served as chairman of the board of Visitors in the 1940s and son James A. graduated in 1961 (attended one year, USMA graduate)
LtCol George Bray McMillan USAAF (1938) Pilot with the Flying Tigers, squadron commander in the 51st Fighter Group, combat ace with 8.5 aerial victories. Shot down and killed near Pingsang, China in June, 1944
BrigGen Charles J. Girard (1938) Deputy Commander of the Capital Military Assistance Command in Saigon. One of the highest-ranking officers to die in the Vietnam War.
MajGen James Grimsley Jr. (1942) combat veteran of World War II and Vietnam earning 2 Silver Stars, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. President of The Citadel 1980–89 and president emeritus 1989–2013
MajGen David Wilson (1991) current Commanding General, United States Army Sustainment Command; first black Alumni to attain 2 star rank in any of the Armed Services and the first black General Officer Alumni on active duty in the United States Army.
SFC Christopher Celiz (2008) posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions in Afghanistan while assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment in 2018 (attended 2 years)
LtGen James T. Moore (1916) early Marine aviator who held important command positions in USMC aviation during World War II, famous as Pappy Boyington's boss in the South Pacific air war and featured in the 1970s TV show Baa Baa Black Sheep.
MajGen Lewie G. Merritt (1917) pioneer in Marine aviation who developed tactics of dive bombing and close air support, commanded several major flying units in World War II. Namesake of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.
General William O. Brice (1921) another early Marine flier who led units during World War II and Korea. Commanding general, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific; assistant commandant for air and Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Marine Aviation. Youngest Marine Corps general in World War II, first Marine aviator four-star general.
General Edwin A. Pollock (1921) Navy Cross recipient for actions at Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942, led the 2d Marine Division during combat in Korea. Also commanded 1st Marine Division and only Marine to have commanded both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleet Marine Forces. Instrumental in founding the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas; served as first president and commandant. Chairman of The Citadel board of visitors and named chairman emeritus upon retirement.
LtCol Horace Ellis Crouch (1940) Bombardier/navigator on crew #10 of the Doolittle Raid, also flew combat missions in China later in World War II and in Korea
LtGen Claudius E. Watts III (1958) Fulbright Scholar and comptroller of the USAF, president of The Citadel 1989–96
Paul Maguire (1960) Led the nation in touchdown receptions by a tight end as a senior in 1959, 3d Team Associated Press All American. Tight end and punter with Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills 1960–70. Played on 3 consecutive AFL championship teams and in 6 of 10 championship games; one of only 20 players who were members of the American Football League from its inception in 1960 until its merger with the NFL in 1970. Longtime color commentator for college and NFL games with NBC and ESPN, member of The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame
Greg Davis (1987) kicker for Oakland, San Diego, New England, Minnesota, Atlanta, and Arizona 1987–98; co-holder of NFL record for most 50+ yard field goals in a game (3), third on Cardinals all-time scoring list with 484 points. Member of The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame
Lester Smith Jr. (1992) 2 time 1-AA All-American and 3 time All Southern Conference selection at Safety; CFL player with Baltimore Stallions 1994–95, Toronto Argonauts 1996–98 and Montreal Alouettes 1999–2001; CFL All-Star and member of 2 Grey Cup Champions. Had Citadel jersey retired and member of Athletic Hall of Fame
Cliff Washburn (2002) All-Southern Conference selection in basketball and football, played in East-West Shrine Game and Hula Bowl. Offensive tackle for numerous teams in the NFL, World League of American Football, United Football League and CFL. Member of The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame.
Fred Jordan (1979) Head baseball coach, The Citadel 1992 – 2017. Winningest coach in school and Southern Conference history with 831 victories; 13 regular season and tournament conference championships, 7 NCAA tournament appearances, 4-time Southern Conference Coach of the Year, 36 players selected in MLB draft.[6]
Lyvonia "Stump" Mitchell (1981) holder of school records for season and career rushing yards; 3d Team 1-A All American, Southern Conference Player of the Year and #2 rusher in the country in 1980, Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year and South Carolina Amateur Athlete of the Year. Running back and kick returner for St Louis Cardinals/Phoenix Cardinals 1981–89, Kansas City Chiefs 1990; second on Cardinals career all purpose yardage list (11,985), second in career rushing yards and career 100 yard rushing games. Assistant Coach San Antonio Riders 1992, head coach Morgan State University 1996–98, running backs coach Seattle Seahawks 1999–2007 and assistant head coach and running backs coach Washington Redskins 2008–09; head coach of Southern University 2010–12, Running Backs Coach Arizona Cardinals 2013–17, New York Jets 2017–19 and Cleveland Browns 2019-. One of only 6 Citadel players to have jersey retired, inducted into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame and South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.
Tony Skole (1991) Current Head Baseball Coach, The Citadel; head baseball coach East Tennessee State University 2000–2017. Starter on baseball and football teams who played in College World Series and on 2 1-AA playoff teams, member of Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame.
Dan McDonnell (1992) Head baseball coach, University of Louisville 2007–; rivals.com National Coach of the Year, 2007. 5 appearances in College World Series, member of The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame.
Chris Lemonis (1992) Current head baseball coach Mississippi State University, won the 2021 National Championship in just his second season. Head baseball coach Indiana University 2015-18. 6 appearances in the College World Series as a player, assistant coach and head coach.
Langhorne "Tony" Motley (1960) Alaska Commissioner of Commerce and Economic Development 1975-77, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil 1981–83, Assistant Secretary of State 1983–85
Lt. Gen. Hussein Al-Majali (1981) Jordanian Ambassador to Bahrain 2005–10, Interior Minister of Jordan 2013–15
Hugh S. Thompson (1856) S.C. Superintendent of Education 1876–82, Governor of South Carolina 1882–86, Assistant U.S. Treasury Secretary 1886–89, U.S. Civil Service Commissioner 1889–92. Thompson Hall is named for him.
CAPT William J. Luti USN (1975) National Security Advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney 2001, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense 2001–05, special assistant to President George W. Bush 2005–09
Carlos Hopkins (1993) Special Counsel to the Governor of Virginia and Secretary of Veterans Affairs 2014-22
State Lesiglators
Burnet R. Maybank Jr. (1945) S.C. State Representative 1953–58; Lt. Governor of South Carolina 1959–63
Ellison Capers (1857) 1st President of Sewanee University; CSA Brigadier General and Episcopal Bishop of South Carolina. Brother Francis W. Capers was SCMA Superintendent 1853-59 and Capers Hall, the main academic building on campus is named in honor of both men.
Colonel Oliver James Bond, SCM (1886) Superintendent/President 1908-31; wrote the first detailed school history entitled The Story of The Citadel
Dr. Sam C. Sarkesian (1951) prominent scholar of civil-military relations and national security, who published numerous books and articles concerning various topics in these areas.
Arland D. Williams Jr. (1957) – saved five other passengers following the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 into the 14th Street Bridge and Potomac River in Washington, DC on January 13, 1982. Williams passed the lifeline lowered for him by a rescue helicopter to others, and died as a result. Posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Gold Lifesaving Medal by President Reagan, 14th Street Bridge over Potomac River named in his honor. [Note – Lt. Col. George Mattar (1963) also died in the Air Florida crash]
Morris Robinson (1991) 3 time All American football player and Grammy winning opera singer who has performed at Carnegie Hall, La Scala in Milan, Italy and the Sydney Opera House. First black artist to sign a recording deal with a major classical label, featured in the 2022 movie "The Magic Flute".
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