South Carolina H 5552: McCrorey-Liston School 70th anniversary

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5552 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 21, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

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