The Alamo Battalion, San Antonio Citadel Club

Citadel Cadets were the first to arrive in Texas with the famous Palmetto Regiment in December 1846 to fight in the Mexican War. The first graduate to be stationed in the San Antonio area, 2Lt William J. Magill, class of 1846, arrived in the spring of 1847 in support of the Mexican War. Mr. Herman "Mack" Magill, class of 1972, Director of Technology at St Mary's Hall School, a relative of Lt Magill (class of 1846) also resides in the San Antonio area. Graduates and cadets have been a part of The Alamo City for 160 years. Hundreds of graduates call San Antonio home. They include members from all walks of life to include military, civilians, and those who are retired. Our local area graduates include two retired Major Generals and all ranks below. Among our graduates are veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, as well as the more recent conflicts to include the Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terror. Graduates also serve the Alamo City as business leaders, business owners, physicians, lawyers, educators, and government officials.

The Citadel continues today as it did when it first opened. It is a small college with an average student to faculty ratio of 15 to one. At The Citadel, no one becomes a "student number" in large auditorium classes of 100 to 300. Today's colleges offer degrees online, by mail, and via other communications methods. Even the most prestigious colleges risk becoming "diploma mills" due to the lack of one on one interaction with professors. The Citadel is unique. Each cadet receives "hands-on" academic instruction, leadership training, mentoring, and physical training. Classes are small to allow interaction with professors. Every cadet a leader. Every cadet a scholar. Every cadet an athlete. Every cadet becomes part of the few, the proud, members of The Citadel's long gray line. All cadets learn the value of integrity, honor, and duty. Despite its small size, Citadel graduates represent a disproportionate number of leaders the world over. The Alamo Battalion is proud to represent The Citadel here in the Alamo City.

Our Senior Graduate is:

Col Ernest Samusson, Jr., class of 1941, USA (retired), Cadet Regimental Commander, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, two Bronze Star Medals with Combat V, and Purple Heart awards

A Few other Notable Citadel Graduates that reside in Texas:

Major General (Dr.) Thomas P. Ball, Jr., class of 1954, USAF (retired), MD, physician and former flight surgeon, Commander of Wilford Hall Medical Center and the Joint Military Medical Command, professor of urology, University of Texas Health Science Center
Lt Col Randolph J. Bresnik, class of 1989, USMC, NASA Astronaut, Houston Space Center, Texas, , TOP GUN pilot instructor, Persian Gulf War, Global War on Terror, (See his biography)
Col (Dr.) Robert T. P. DeTreville, class of 1948, USAF (retired), MD, physician
Major General Irwin P. Graham, Jr., class of 1949, USAAF/USAF (retired), cadet 1944-1945 then drafted into World War II, returned to The Citadel 1947 and graduated in 1949, navigator, Engineering Professor U.S. Naval Academy, Vietnam, Bronze Star
Col (Dr.) Timothy J. Halligan, Class of 1982, USAF, DDS, Commander, Dental Clinic, Lackland AFB
Brigadier General Richard L. Meyer, class of 1955, USAF (retired), fighter pilot, Vietnam veteran, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal

Note: This is just a short list of Texas and local area graduates. For a complete list of graduates contact the Commander, Alamo Battalion.

The Global War on Terror Sources