Summary

The history of The Citadel and the military/civil achievements of its former students are vast, spanning over 165 years. In the following pages, please take the time to learn about this great heritage.

The Citizen Soldier Origins page details how The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, was established as the college for the citizen-soldier as the founding fathers of the United States had envisioned. The Birth of The Citadel section describes how and when the college was established. The Citadel was still in its infancy and had not graduated its first class when the United States declared war on Mexico; and the Mexican War (1846-1848) and the Indian Wars were the first to see The Citadel's cadets and alumni in battle. The Citadel Corps of Cadets fought as a unit during the Civil War, earning nine battle streamers, more than any other military college or federal service academy college in U.S. history. The Citadel campus in Charleston was captured and held under U.S. Army Occupation in 1865. The Post Civil War Era saw many graduates moving west to Texas. Citadel graduates again answered their nation's call with several serving in combat after the United States declared War with Spain & then again in WWI. After World War I, the college needed to grow. A plan called the "Greater Citadel" resulted in the college growing several times larger than the original college established in 1842. WWII & Korea saw Citadel men in action once again. The Cold War Era was an "arms race" between the United States and the communist Soviet Union, yet it also provided a relative stability which allowed introspection at The Citadel. Societal Challenges & Change in the second half of the twentieth century eventually saw the coming of female cadets and graduates of The Citadel. September 11, 2001 changed the lives of millions of Americans, and ushered in the The Global War on Terrorism that was initiated decades earlier by Islamic extremists. Finally, please learn about the The Alamo Battalion and the fine cadets and alumni who have served in Texas and San Antonio.

We are very grateful for the information and resources that so many people have contributed in order to preserve and display this historical treasure. Please see the Sources page for details.

Citizen Soldier Origins