James Grimsley Jr.

File:James A. Grimsley, Jr..jpg

MG Grimsley, President of The Citadel

James Alexander Grimsley Jr. (November 14, 1921 – June 11, 2013), was a United States Army Major General and combat veteran of two wars who also served as President of his alma mater, The Citadel from 1980 to 1989.

Life and career

Grimsley was born and raised in Florence, South Carolina. After graduating with The Citadel, class of 1942, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army and immediately went to the Pacific Theater to fight in World War II. He held numerous high leadership positions including command of an infantry brigade in Vietnam, a tour as Assistant Commander of the 2d Armored Division and service on the Army General Staff. His career culminated with an assignment as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. After 33 years of service, Grimsley retired from the active duty in 1975.

Grimsley came to The Citadel in 1975 as vice president for Administration and Finance; he was named president in 1980 upon the resignation of his predecessor, Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale. His tenure at the Citadel was marked by a return to traditional values in the corps of cadets, a significant increase in applications, major physical improvements to the campus and rising academic rankings.

When Grimsley retired in 1989, he was named President Emeritus. This distinction had previously only been given to General Charles Summerall and General Mark Clark.

Awards

During Grimsley's active duty career, he received 35 major decorations, including the following:

File:CIB2.png Combat Infantryman Badge (2 awards)
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Silver Star with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
V Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters
Silver oak leaf cluster Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Air Medal with award numeral 6
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Joint Service Commendation Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Army Commendation Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	American Campaign Medal
Arrowhead Bronze star Bronze star Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with arrowhead device and three service stars
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	World War II Victory Medal (United States)
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Army of Occupation Medal
Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	National Defense Service Medal with Service Star
Bronze star Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Vietnam Service Medal
Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Philippine Liberation Medal
Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and bronze star
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Vietnam Campaign Medal