Star of the West Monument
The Star of the West Monument is dedicated to the memory of the cadets who fired on the Star of the West, a federal supply ship, from the northern point of Morris Island in 1861. Cadets were chosen to man the 24-pound siege guns because they were the best-trained men in Charleston to fire the weapons. The Monument is also dedicated to the memory of all graduates who have died in defense of their country. The memorial, built in 1961, is a result of the joint efforts of the Charleston Civil War Centennial Commission and the Class of 1961.
Inscribed on the monument are the names of those cadets who have won the Star of the West Medal, awarded to the best drilled individual cadet in the Corps. The competition is held annually just before graduation.
