Clemson Military Appreciation Day: In Memory of First Lieutenant Brandon Moultrie
Today, Military Appreciation Day is celebrated at Clemson, as they face The Citadel, signifying the end of Military Appreciation Week, which originated on Nov. 12, 1994, against Georgia Tech and has various military-related activities throughout the week and gameday to honor veterans, their families, and service members.
As Clemson honors its military community, we also honor the memory of First Lieutenant Brandon Keyon Moultrie, a 28-year-old soldier originally from Latta, SC, and a dedicated Clemson football fan, who tragically lost his life in a shooting outside a bar in Fairbanks, Alaska. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 4, 2024, when Moultrie was caught in the crossfire during an altercation outside the Big I Bar. He was transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
Moultrie served as a logistical platoon leader with the 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He began his military career in 2013 and earned a commission in 2022 through Officer Candidate School. Known for his professionalism and dedication, Moultrie held multiple commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal, and was highly respected within his unit. He was also actively involved in the community and earned Volunteer of the Year and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Moultrie’s love for Clemson football began during his youth in Columbia, South Carolina, where he was captivated by the electric play of two recent inductees in the program's Hall of Fame. His younger brother, Kendall Moultrie, 24, recounted Moultrie’s early passion for the Tigers. “We grew up in Columbia before we moved to the small town of Latta,” Kendall shared. “A lot of Columbians were really split between South Carolina and Clemson. He was always a fan of C.J. Spiller and Sammy Watkins. That’s when I realized he was a diehard Clemson fan.”
He played football at Latta High School and even attended Dabo Swinney's football camp in 2012. He saw his first Clemson game alongside his cousin, Donell Stanley, a former Latta and South Carolina offensive lineman, on Stanley's recruiting visit.
"He was a loving, caring person," said Kendall, as he remembered his older brother. "He wanted the people around him to be the best they could be and reach their full potential. Growing up, he pushed me and taught me more about sports. He always made sure I had my head on right and was staying on the right path.”
After high school, Moultrie joined the Army while Kendall starred at Latta in football, becoming a two-time All-State honoree and 2A Lower Back of the Year. Moultrie hoped Clemson would offer Kendall, who received offers from Coastal Carolina, Furman, Georgia Southern, and South Carolina State, but Kendall went on to play at S.C. State from 2018 to 2022, finishing with three career interceptions and earning a degree in Electrical Engineering and Technology.
Though Moultrie excelled as a career counselor in the U.S. Army, his ultimate dream was to become a college athletic director, a role he viewed as a platform to influence others, particularly, student-athletes beyond the field. To prepare for the career, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management from Troy University and was a volunteer coach in multiple sports.
One of his favorite quotes was, “I would hate to die and never get to do the thing I was born to do.” He wrote #PURPOSE below it. While he tragically passed before becoming an athletic director, Kendall believes Moultrie fulfilled his #PURPOSE.
“I know he had many goals, but he did achieve a lot of them that he previously set,” Kendall said. “Of course, he had some unfinished business. But I think he did meet his purpose and how to go about things.”
Kendall shared two quotes that he feels encapsulates Moultrie's life and legacy:
“It is not the length of life, but the depth of life.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West
Moultrie’s legacy of service and dedication will live on in the lives of Kendall, wife, Milly Wharton Moultrie, children, Michael, 13, Bailey, 9, and Brantley, 6, and everyone else he touched.
Soldier, Marque Connor, discussed Moultrie's impact on him and others via Facebook, upon learning of his death:
"Brandon Moultrie, passing has left an indelible mark on all of us who are fortunate enough to know him. He was a bright light in our lives, always ready with a smile. His presence brought warmth and joy to every room he entered, and his laughter was infectious, lifting the spirits of those around him. As we mourn his loss, we find solace in the memories we shared with him, from the countless jokes and laughs to the moments of quiet understanding. Brandon touched our lives in so many ways."
Brandon Moultrie’s life was one of service, leadership, purpose, passion, and unwavering commitment to helping others realize their potential, and he exemplifies what Military Appreciation Day at Clemson is all about.