The Citadel honors former cadet Lt. General David Wilson for making history

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)—On Thursday, family, friends, and military colleagues gathered at the Citadel to celebrate Lowcountry native and Citadel alum Lieutenant General David Wilson for making history.

“You know, it’s a little bit humbling and, especially, to be able to come back home to Charleston, South Carolina, where I grew up, attended school from Sanders Glide Elementary to Rivers Middle to Burke High School, to have people in the room from all across the city it’s pretty overwhelming,” said Lt. General Wilson.

Wilson’s wife and two daughters pinned three stars on his uniform to display his new United States Army Lieutenant General ranking. The Citadel’s president was also there, praising the prestigious achievement. 

“Only four people decided to make him a lieutenant general: the chief of staff at the army, the secretary of the military, the secretary of defense, and the president of the United States; some pretty senior people who decided, I might add, that David has all it takes,” said General Glenn Walters, the president of the Citadel.

LT. General Wilson spoke to the cadets who wanted to follow in his footsteps, and his biggest advice was to be your best self and lead by example.

“Your audio must match your video. I could say many things in front of my troops, but they won’t follow me if my example is not what I’m saying. So that’s what I would tell the young cadet or the young Burke High junior ROTC student thinking about Enlisting in the US Army or going off to college,” said Lt. General Wilson.

For more information about the army program, click the link below.

The Citadel Army ROTC