On May 6, 1966, 2ndLt Joseph C. Missar was killed in action by a mine in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. A member of The Citadel Class of 1965, he is memorialized alongside 1LT Frank Monroe “Skip” Murphy, USA, '65, with a bronze statue at Johnson Hagood Stadium. This statue honors the memory of all Citadel alumni who gave their lives in the Vietnam War — a lasting tribute to their courage and sacrifice.

May 5, 2026

As we continue our May tributes, we highlight several alumni who served in the military and have recently passed. Today we remember the life of LTC Royal (Sonny) W. Fyfe, Jr., USA, Ret., who passed away on March 11, 2026. While Memorial Day honors those who died in military service, in the weeks leading up to that day we also recognize members of our community whose lives reflected a continued commitment to service and country. Fyfe was a 1954 graduate of The Citadel and was commissioned into the U.S. Army Active Reserve upon graduation. He served a 20-year military career, retiring in 1974. During his service, he held assignments including Small Arms Advisor to the King of Thailand, commander of a light infantry regiment during the Tet Offensive, and Commander of the Southeast Asia Theater Field Calibration Agency during the final years of the Vietnam War. He was also uniquely trained as a commissioned officer to repair the Minuteman missile system. Following his military service, he returned to Beaufort, where he worked in construction, served as Deputy Coroner, worked as a firearms instructor and law enforcement officer with the Port Royal Department of Public Safety, and later founded an ammunition company. He remained active in civic organizations and community service throughout his life.

May 4, 2019: The first class of nursing students graduated from The Citadel. today.citadel.edu/first-nurses-graduating-from-the-citadel/

🎉 Class of 2026 Parents, Family, and Friends! 🎉 There’s still time to secure a Life Membership for your cadet/student at the discounted rate of $400, but don’t wait too long—this special offer is only available until Commencement Day! 📢 Since the March 15th deadline has passed: 🔹 We cannot guarantee that membership items will arrive in time to be picked up with their classmates. 🔹 Your cadet/student will not be announced as a Life Member during Commencement. 💙 A Life Membership in The Citadel Alumni Association is a meaningful and lasting Graduation gift! To take advantage of this offer, visit: 🔗 citadelalumni.org/product-category/membership/ and select New Life Membership (Current Student) – $400. 🚀 Class of 2027 parents – you can also lock in this $400 rate now through Commencement Day in 2027! Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate this achievement with a lifelong connection to The Citadel Alumni Association! 🎓💙

The sights and sounds during yesterday’s Blue Angels campus flyover, viewed from the Holliday Alumni Center, gave a sense of the unbelievable speed and thunderous intensity of the aircraft. The current Blue Angels roster includes two Citadel alumni: pilot LtCol Brandon Wilkins, USMC, ’07, who flies Slot Four, and public affairs officer 1stLt Danielle Cribb, USMC, ’21, the group’s spokesperson. Both are Beaufort natives.

As we enter the month of May—culminating in Memorial Day—we remember several alumni who have recently passed. While Memorial Day honors those who died in military service, we also recognize members of our community who served and are no longer with us. We begin with BG J. Emory Mace, Sr., USA, Ret., who passed away on April 14, 2026, at age 85. A 1963 graduate of The Citadel, Mace served in the 82nd Airborne Division and deployed multiple times in the 1960s, including two tours in Vietnam. In December 1968, near Dong Xoai, then-Captain Mace led his company under heavy fire, directed assaults on enemy positions, recovered wounded soldiers, and remained behind to call in supporting fires to enable his unit’s withdrawal. All personnel were evacuated. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for these actions. Mace later commanded infantry battalions and the Ranger Training Brigade and served as Chief of Staff, Fourth U.S. Army, retiring in 1991. Following his military service, he returned to Charleston and served as Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel from 1997 to 2005.

April 30, 2026

🎉 Class of 2026 Parents, Family, and Friends! 🎉 Time is running out to secure a Life Membership for your cadet/student at the discounted rate of $400. This special offer is only available until Commencement Day! 📢 Since the March 15th deadline has passed: 🔹 We cannot guarantee that membership items will arrive in time to be picked up with their classmates. 🔹 Your cadet/student will not be announced as a Life Member during Commencement. 💙 A Life Membership in The Citadel Alumni Association is a meaningful and lasting Graduation gift! To take advantage of this offer, visit: 🔗 citadelalumni.org/product-category/membership/ and select New Life Membership (Current Student) – $400. 🚀 Class of 2027 parents – you can also lock in this $400 rate now through Commencement Day in 2027! Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate this achievement with a lifelong connection to The Citadel Alumni Association! 🎓💙