DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709140075

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A16  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C.                  LENGTH:   43 lines

CITADEL CADETS HAVE USED NAZI SYMBOLS IN PAST, SCHOOL REPORTS BUT THE MILITARY SCHOOL SAYS IT NEVER CONDONED RACISM.

Nazi paraphernalia was used by cadets at The Citadel and appeared in old yearbooks, school investigators say, but the military college has never fostered racism.

The internal report made public Friday found that some seniors had Nazi symbols inside their caps, and a footlocker contained a picture of a Hitler youth.

``Racial incidents have occurred, but they have not been encouraged or condoned by The Citadel,'' the report said. ``The incidents have always been investigated, and the perpetrators of the acts have been punished when caught.''

School President John Grinalds said two companies, M and E, will change their nicknames and the college will closely supervise its yearbook staff.

The investigation followed a CBS News ``60 Minutes'' program in June that showed Nazi paraphernalia on campus and in old yearbook pictures.

``Cadet yearbooks do have photographs depicting sophomoric behavior using symbols, mottoes and quotes which are offensive to specific ethnic and racial groups,'' the report said. ``The fact that these are in yearbooks is lamentable.''

M Company, known as ``Mike Reich,'' will now be known as ``Mighty Mike'' and E Company, nicknamed ``Stalag Echo,'' has also been told to select a new nickname.

K Company is known by the nickname Kappa Kilo to symbolize the company's fraternal spirit. It has never been known by the nickname KKK as the CBS broadcast suggested, the report said.

Grinalds, who took up his duties as president last month, defended the school's record, saying the college leads the state in overall graduation rates and in graduation rates for minority students.

``Over the past 30 years cadets of all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds have prospered at The Citadel,'' he said.

The college has had black and Jewish regimental commanders, company commanders and senior class presidents, officials said. KEYWORDS: MILITARY ACADEMIES

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