James Alexander Grimsley, Jr. (born 14 November 1921), former Major General of the United States Army, was President of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina from 1980 to 1989.[1]
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 Europe 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 Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, he retired from the Army in 1975 as a Major General after a 33 year career.
Grimsley came to The Citadel in 1975 as Vice President for Administration and Finance; he was named President in 1980 upon the retirement of his predecessor, Adm. James B. Stockdale.[2] 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 Gen. Charles Summerall and Gen. Mark Clark.[1]
At the time of Gen Grimsley's retirement from the Army he had received 35 major decorations including two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars, four Legion of Merit awards and three Purple Hearts.
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