governors, 3 U.S. senators, 12 congressmen, the presidents of 47 colleges and universities, the Director of the U.S. Olympic Committee and many professional athletes. Approximately 35% of cadet graduates are commissioned as officers into the military, another 10% go directly to graduate programs; alumni currently serve in all five military services. Over the years, 299 Citadel alumni have reached the top ranks in the military by becoming flag officers (Generals, Admirals or Commodore), ten have served as a state Adjutant General. Nine alumni have served as pilots with the two U.S. military flight demonstration units, the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels; graduates have served as commanders of both squadrons. Alumni also serve in the military services of foreign countries including six 4 Star Generals from Thailand and the head of Jordan's Security Forces. Citadel alumni were killed in action during the Mexican–American War (6), Civil War (67), World War I (15), World War II (280), Korean War (32), Vietnam War (68), Lebanon (1), Grenada (1), the Gulf War (1), and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (22). In popular culture A thinly veiled depiction of The Citadel provides the background for Calder Willingham's novel End as a Man (1947) and the film adaptation, The Strange One (1957). Pat Conroy's 1980 novel The Lords of Discipline was based on Conroy's experience as a cadet at The Citadel during the 1960s and on his research of other military schools. The novel outraged many of his fellow graduates of The Citadel, who felt that the book was a thinly veiled portrayal of campus life that was highly unflattering. The rift was not healed until 2000, when Conroy was awarded an honorary degree and asked to deliver the commencement address the following year. That year Conroy spearheaded fundraising to renovate the banquet hall in The Citadel Alumni Association building. The Lords of Discipline was made into a movie of the same name starring David Keith and Robert Prosky in 1983. Conroy also wrote about his experiences at the Citadel in his memoir My Losing Season (2002). Notes References External links Citadel Athletics website Bibliography of the Citadel (The Daniel Library) Educational institutions established in 1842 Military academies of the United States Military education and training in the United States Education in Charleston, South Carolina Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Public universities and colleges in South Carolina United States