On Friday, Jan. 3, the United States honored Capt. Hugh Reavis Nelson Jr., Citadel Class of 1959, with the nation’s highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War.

The Military College of South Carolina presented a posthumous degree and class ring to the family of Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz, a member of the Class of 2008.

“Christopher Celiz was courage made flesh,” said President Joe Biden during the Medal of Honor presentation ceremony on Dec. 16.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz attended The Citadel from 2004 – 2006 before leaving the college in good standing to enlist in the Army.

U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Andrew Celiz, who attended The Citadel as part of the class of 2008, is now listed on The Citadel War Memorial among the college’s 760 alumni killed in action while serving their country.