Clemson's Medal of Honor Recipients

Clemson University proudly acknowledges and honors 4 alumni who earned the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, for acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

The 4 alumni who earned the Medal of Honor are:

Sergeant Gary E. Foster – World War I

Corporal James D. Heriot – World War I

Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla J. Dyess – World War II

Ensign Daniel A. J. Sullivan – World War I

 

These 4 incredibly brave alumni are forever honored and remembered on Military Heritage Plaza.

 

Sergeant Gary E. Foster

Sergeant Gary Evans Foster was born on Nov. 6, 1894, in Spartanburg, S.C. In 1917, the U.S. entered World War I, prompting him to enlist. He enlisted in the South Carolina National Guard as a Soldier in Company F, 118th Infantry, 30th Division. His unit was activated, and he was sent to the Western Front in France. On the brisk morning of October 8th, 1918, Foster’s company was tasked with leading an attack on fortified German positions near Montbrehain, France. Sergeant Foster found himself in charge of his platoon when his Lieutenant was killed.

As he and his Soldiers crested a hill, they were met by heavy machinegun fire. To prevent enemy fire from causing further casualties, Sergeant Foster and four Soldiers volunteered to neutralize the machinegun nest. They were met with heavy rifle fire, causing the four volunteers to retreat while Sergeant Foster pressed on, taking cover to dodge enemy fire. A German officer fired his pistol at Sergeant Foster but missed, and Sergeant Foster returned fire with his Enfield rifle. He missed the officer, who dropped his pistol and surrendered. Sergeant Foster rapidly fired his rifle at the remaining enemy, killing 3 and causing the remaining to surrender. That fateful morning, Sergeant Foster singlehandedly neutralized the machinegun nest, killed 3 Germans, and captured 18 more.

Sergeant Foster was pulled from combat 5 days later and sent to Officer Training School at La Valbon, France. He graduated in January 1919 and returned to Spartanburg in February. After the war, he attended Clemson College. He was issued the Medal of Honor on January 22nd, 1919. The medal’s official citation reads: “When his company was held up by violent machine-gun fire from a sunken road, Sgt. Foster with an officer went forward to attack the hostile machine-gun nests. The officer was wounded, but Sgt. Foster continued on alone in the face of the heavy fire and by effective use of hand grenades and his pistol killed several of the enemy and captured 18.”

He passed away on July 22nd, 1951, at the age of 56 in his hometown of Spartanburg, SC. He rests in New Prospect Cemetery, Boiling Springs, SC.