H 5552

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5552
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A house RESOLUTION
to EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF Brigadier General
James Emory Mace Sr. OF Charleston COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY
TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death
of Brigadier General James Emory Mace Sr. (Retired) at the age of eighty-five
on April 14, 2026; and
Whereas, born in Hampton
County, Emory Mace graduated from The Citadel in 1963 and received a commission
into the United States Army. Before deploying to Vietnam, he attended Ranger
School. In December of 1968, during a search and clear mission near Dong Xoai, he
led his company through several dangerous encounters with enemy fire while
rescuing American soldiers. The following year, he was presented with the
Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty;
and
Whereas, during his
twenty-eight years of distinguished military service, he also was awarded the
Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation
Medal, and the Purple Heart and was credited with authoring the first field
manual for ranger operations. He was recognized as among the most decorated
graduates in The Citadel's history. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of
Fame in 2007, the first graduate of The Citadel to receive this honor; and
Whereas, in 1997,
Brigadier General Mace became the commandant of The Citadel, and led The
Citadel through a dramatic transition from an all-male institution to a coed
military college. Known for his blunt, disciplined leadership style, he
implemented sweeping reforms: prohibiting harassment during meals and study
periods, eliminating sophomore rank authority over freshmen, banning physical
contact with first-year cadets, limiting "knob knowledge" requirements, and
shortening the military orientation period; and
Whereas, during this
time, The Citadel was navigating major changes as they worked to accommodate
the first female cadet enrolled just months prior to his arrival. Under his
leadership some ninety-five women graduated from the Corps of Cadets before he
retired in 2005. The year he retired as commandant, the 1,900-member body
included about one hundred twenty women. His daughter, now United States Representative
Nancy Mace, would become the school's first female graduate. He became the
longest-serving commandant of The Citadel; and
Whereas, together with
his beloved wife, Anne, he reared four fine children: Elizabeth Anne Mace
McGrath; Mary Frances Mace, a doctoral candidate; Nancy Ruth Mace; and Colonel
James Emory Mace Jr.; and
Whereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and
legacy of Brigadier General James Emory Mace Sr. and for the example of dedication
and devotion he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the
South Carolina House of Representatives,
by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Brigadier
General James Emory Mace Sr. of Charleston County and extend their deepest
sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.
Be it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Brigadier General
James Emory Mace Sr.
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This web page was last updated on April 21, 2026 at 12:56 PM