Conditions Governing Access

Some records are restricted. Access to certain categories of archival records is restricted because they contain material protected under federal or state statutes governing privacy and confidentiality. These include, but are not limited to, student records, personnel records, and medical records.

Preferred Citation

Records of the Superintendent [RG02]. George R. E. Shell Administration. [item/file detail]

Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant General George Richard Edwin Shell (b. 1908 d. 1996) graduated from VMI in 1931 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His distinguished career as a U. S. Marine Corps officer began with his commissioning in 1931. During World War II he commanded an artillery battalion in the Pacific Theater and was awarded the Purple Heart and Legion of Merit with combat "V." He subsequently served in many capacities throughout his 29 years of active duty-- on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; at the Pentagon; SHAPE; NATO; as commanding General, Marine Recruit Depot, Parris Island; and in many other assignments. He became VMI's ninth Superintendent on July 1, 1960, serving until June 30, 1971. General Shell died on October 30, 1996.

Scope and Contents

Official records of the George R. E. Shell administration, including correspondence, annual reports, and related papers/records for the period 1961-1970.

Related Material

Additional correspondence from this era is located in the Superintendents' Administrative Subject Files series.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Virginia Military Institute -- Administration
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1931
• Virginia Military Institute—History—20th century