Citadel cadets presented with esteemed MacArthur and Cincinnati awards

February 16, 2024February 16, 2024 Students

During Friday’s parade on Feb. 16, two Citadel cadets were each presented with a distinguished award. Cadet Lt. Col. Kenyaz Boston was awarded the Society of the Cincinnati Medal and Cadet Lt. Col. Vincent Massaro was presented with the General Douglas MacArthur Cadet of the Year Award.

The Society of the Cincinnati is given every year to the senior cadet officer who best exemplifies the combined qualities of a good soldier and good citizen, characteristics that were evident in the patriots who fought to win American’s freedom.

This year’s award was given to Cadet. Lt. Col. Kenyaz Boston, who has distinguished himself in academics, fitness and leadership. A resident of Columbia, South Carolina, Boston is an Air Force ROTC scholarship recipient who is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. Boston has been on the Dean’s List, Gold Stars, President’s List and Commandant’s List multiple times while at The Citadel. He has also served in multiple leadership positions each year he’s been in the Corps of Cadets. As a junior, Boston was the president of The Citadel African American Society, as well as conductor of the Gospel Choir and company first sergeant. Now as a senior, Boston serves as the First Battalion commander and is the squadron commander within the Air Force ROTC detachment.

Due to Boston’s superior performance, initiative and leadership, he will join other Society of the Cincinnati recipients whose names are engraved on the plaque located in the entrance lobby of Bond Hall.

The Medal of the Society of the Cincinnati Award bears the name of a Roman farmer, Cincinnatus, who left his farm to take up arms and fight for his city. A successful general, he was an acclaimed dictator, but chose instead to return to civilian life. The officers who served in the Continental Army formed the Society. Their charter members included George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette. The South Carolina chapter, established in 1783, is one of the six original state societies that have been in continuous existence since that time.

The General Douglas MacArthur Foundation presents the MacArthur Cadet of the Year Awards to the most outstanding cadets from the 12 colleges and universities comprising the Association of Military Colleges and Schools. This year, Cadet Lt. Col. Vincent Massaro was presented this prestigious award. Massaro, a Physics major from Weddington, North Carolina, has been on the Dean’s List, Gold Stars, President’s List and Commandant’s List multiple times while at The Citadel. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his cadet career, assuming several increasingly significant leadership roles each year. Massaro’s performance and dedication during his position as Tango Company First Sergeant led to his selection as Third Battalion Commander. Massaro also serves as the Executive Officer for the Marine contingent of the Naval ROTC unit and is president of the Society of Physics Students.

The objective of the General Douglas MacArthur Cadet of the Year Award is to encourage the students of the member institutions to emulate the qualities exemplified by General Douglas MacArthur when he was a cadet at the West Texas Military Institute and the United States Military Academy at West Point. The award is given to the senior class cadet at each of the schools with the most soldierly performance with consideration for academics, athletics and leadership in accordance with the standards of each respective institution.