The Citadel is mourning the loss of Brig. Gen. James Emory Mace, ’63, a distinguished alumnus whose leadership and service left a lasting impact on the college and its cadets.

Throughout his life, Mace exemplified the values instilled during his time as a cadet. He returned to serve the institution in key leadership roles, helping guide The Citadel through periods of change while remaining grounded in its traditions; Mace served as the Commandant of Cadets from 1997-2005. His influence extended far beyond campus, shaping generations of leaders through both example and mentorship.

“Brig. Gen. Mace was one of The Citadel’s most decorated graduates who lead our cadets and community through a period of tremendous change,” said The Citadel President Gen. Glenn Walters, USMC (Ret.), ’79. “He was a model Citadel officer and he will be greatly missed. On behalf of The Citadel, Gail and I offer our deepest condolences to his entire family on his passing.”

Brigadier General (Ret.) James E. Mace Obituary

Brigadier General (Ret.) James E. Mace, Sr., passed away peacefully at home on April 14, 2026, surrounded by his wife, two daughters, and his dogs. He was 85 years old.

Born in Hampton, South Carolina, Gen. Mace was the son of James Archibald Mace, Esq., a lawyer, former Mayor of Hampton, and later lead counsel for Santee Cooper during the building of Lakes Marion and Moultrie, and Iva Marie Mace (née Thomas), who served 42 years as the Hampton County Director of DSS, a woman so devoted to her community that a building was named in her honor. He spent his high school summers digging ditches for the South Carolina Highway Department for 33 cents an hour. He never forgot where he came from. He was a son of the Lowcountry.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Thomas Archibald Mace, and his sisters Shirley and Mary.

He graduated from The Citadel in 1963 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry. What followed was one of the most decorated military careers in the history of South Carolina.

Early Career and Vietnam

His early assignments included serving as an assistant Battalion Operations and Training Officer with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. He deployed twice to Vietnam – first as an advisor to a Republic of Vietnam airborne battalion in 1965-1966, and again as a rifle company commander and Brigade Operations Officer with the 1st Air Cavalry Division in 1968-1969. His third tour of combat was in the Dominican Republic coup de tat of 1965.

It was during that second Vietnam tour that he distinguished himself in ways that would define a generation.

From December 2-4, 1968, near Dong Xoai, Captain Mace led his company through a series of engagements that can only be described as extraordinary. When his point element came under heavy fire, he moved forward and directed a flanking movement that forced the enemy from their bunkers. He personally led a rescue party to save the crew of a downed helicopter under intense, direct enemy fire. He carried a wounded men to safety while exposed to vicious enemy fire, then stood up to spot enemy gunners, personally killing two and wounding three. When the enemy attempted to encircle his company, he ordered a withdrawal and stayed behind alone to direct rocket artillery to within one hundred meters of his own position. The following day, after mines and heavy machine gun fire caused several casualties, he led his men on an assault of enemy fortifications, killing multiple enemy combatants and rescuing wounded soldiers from under hostile fire. As a result of his actions, a major enemy supply complex was destroyed and he pulled out every soldier dead or alive.

For these actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with V Device- the second highest military decoration for valor in the United States Army. General Orders No. 838, Headquarters U.S. Army Vietnam, March 9, 1969.

That was who Gen. Mace was. He stayed behind so others could go home.

A Distinguished Military Career

Following Vietnam, Gen. Mace served in a series of senior assignments. He commanded a basic combat training company, served as a brigade personnel officer, and returned to South Carolina in 1970 as an ROTC instructor at The Citadel. Following a below-the-zone promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Quantico, Virginia.

He subsequently served at the Pentagon as Chief of the Editorial Branch in the Joint Secretariat, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as an action and executive officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Department of the Army, from 1973-1976.

He returned to the 82nd Airborne Division from 1976-1979, serving as Brigade Operations and Training Officer, Battalion Executive Officer, and Division Inspector General. In January 1980, he took command of his first battalion, the 3rd Battalion, 5th Infantry, in Panama. In October 1981, he assumed command of his second battalion, the 2nd Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry, at Fort Lewis, Washington. He then attended the US Army War College.

He reported to Fort Benning, Georgia in 1985 as a Special Projects Officer for the Commanding General and Chief of Infantry, authoring FM 7-85 (Ranger Unit Operations and Training). He subsequently commanded the 1st Infantry Training Brigade before becoming Director of the Ranger Department of the Infantry School – leading the conversion of the Ranger Department to a TO&E unit and becoming the first Commander of the Ranger Training Brigade, his second brigade command.

In 1988, he became the Assistant Division Commander, Support, 6th Infantry Division (Light), at Fort Richardson, Alaska. He completed his active duty military career as Chief of Staff, 4th US Army, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, retiring in 1991.

Education and Qualifications

Awards and Decorations

His commendations include the Distinguished Service Cross with V Device, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and four Oak Leaf Clusters (three for Valor), the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device and three Oak Leaf Clusters (three for Valor).

Honors and Legacy

Gen. Mace is one of the most highly decorated graduates of The Citadel for valor in combat. His portrait hangs in The Citadel Library. He was inducted into the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame, the Military Hall of Honor, and the Military Times Hall of Valor. He is one of only four members of The Citadel Class of 1963 designated as Distinguished Alumni.

Post-Military Service

Upon retirement, Gen. Mace returned to Charleston, South Carolina, where he practiced real estate, served as Director of Safety for the South Carolina Department of Corrections, and became Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel from 1997-2005 – the longest tenure of any Commandant in the institution’s history.

He served as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of South Carolina Federal Credit Union, an institution with $2.6 billion in assets, 150,000 members, and 30 branches across the state. He also served as Director Emeritus of the National Ranger Memorial Foundation.

Family

Dr. Anne J. Mace was his devoted wife for 61 years. Together they are the parents of Elizabeth Anne Mace McGrath (John), Doctoral Candidate Mary Frances Mace, U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Ruth Mace, and COL James Emory Mace, Jr., MD, FACS, U.S. Army (Elizabeth); and grandparents to 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

In his final days, he was surrounded by the people and the dogs he loved most, he found faith. He met Jesus. And then he went Home.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7

Gen. Mace will be laid to rest on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Summerall Chapel, The Citadel at 5:00PM and will be interred immediately following the service at The Citadel Memorial Bell Tower Columbarium. Reception to follow at Mark Clark Hall. The public is invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to The Class of 1963 Scholarship at the Citadel Development Foundation, or to Roper Hospice.

Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.

We invite you to share a memory and sign our guest book.