Always Remember Those Who Gave All: MC WW2 Gold Stars and MIA Survivors

From 1941-1945, over 1185 students and alumni of Maryville College answered the call to defend their country during World War II. All but 38 would return home once the war was over.

Throughout WW2, Maryville College President, alumnus, and World War I veteran Dr. Ralph Waldo Lloyd kept detailed records on these men and women sharing any new information continually with the College community.

Beginning in 1943, two large service flags hung from the ceiling of Voorhees Chapel (MC's first chapel building on the site where the Clayton Center for the Arts now stands). Each flag was covered in blue (active military) and gold (died in service) stars. The first flag was donated by the Class of 1943 and the second by the Alumni Association. During the daily chapel services, Dr. Lloyd added a gold star to the flags each time the College received word that another MC Scot had fallen. Each time, he read the names and stories of each MC Gold Star.

Since WW2, these service flags have survived both fire and flood. Today, these service flags are preserved for future generations in the Maryville College Archives. One of these flags is pictured here (held by Emily Yarborough and Chris Nugent).