US Army General. A decorated veteran of World War II and of the Viet Nam War, he shall probably be best remembered for his tenure as president of The Citadel during the 1980s. Raised in northeastern South Carolina, he graduated from Charleston's The Citadel in 1942, immediately joined the Army as a second lieutenant, and spent World War II as an infantry officer in the South Pacific. Following the conflict, Grimsley served in a succession of assignments that saw him hold a number of stateside postings while also seeing tours of duty in France, Germany, and the Philippines. He was Assistant Commander of the 2nd Armored Division, commanded an infantry brigade in Viet Nam, served on the Army General Staff, and retired as a Major General in 1975, serving his final tour at the office of the Secretary of Defense. Upon retirement General Grimsley accepted a position as a vice president of his alma mater then in 1980 became The Citadel's 16th president. Taking over during a time of turmoil, he quickly restored confidence in the school, quelled lingering racial resentments, improved the physical plant, raised academic standards, and increased enrollment; upon his 1989 retirement he was named President Emeritus, becoming one of only three men to be so designated. After leaving the academic world, General Grimsley remained busy with his church, the Rotary Club, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Boy Scouts, and the Trident United Way. His honors were many and included the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest award, and the American Legion Distinguished Public Service Award as well as three honorary doctorates. The General lived out his days in Charleston and died in a nursing facility; his military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars, four Legions of Merit, four Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts.