SAVAS, SAM
From Knob Knowledge
Citadel Class of 1951. As a student, he was runner-up for the Star of the West award for two years. As an army officer he received the bronze star with oak leaf cluster. While in Vietnam he died of a cerebral hemorrhage. It was not battle related. As a military science professor at The Citadel, 1962-1965, he was the faculty advisor for the Society of American Engineers and also the Summerall Guards. The Citadel chapter of the former won the National Society of Military Engineers award for two years at this time.
As tactical officer of the third battalion, he started a project to build a bulldog statue by having the third battalion collect brass. The cadets continued the project after he left by donating money. When the statue was finished it was dedicated to him. It presently stands in front of the McAlister Field House. It is 26-in. long, 18-in. high and 16-in. across the chest. It cost $12,000. No pennies were melted down to make the statue. (Sources: Louis Chestnut, "Never an Athlete, Savas is Remembered," News and Courier, May 20, 1966, p. 2B; "Bulldog Statue Unveiled at The Citadel," News and Courier, May 28, 1966, p. 1B) (HN & DH)
