Pickens in Pickens County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Major General Andrew Pickens
1739-1817
— Christian - Patriot - Soldier —
This statue of Major General Pickens is built in memory of Ellison Smyth McKissick, Jr., 1925-1998, Korean War veteran and former chief executive officer of Alice Manufacturing Company, Inc. Ellison Smyth McKissick, Jr., enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 28th, 1956 and served in Korea. He was promoted to Sergeant on June 1st, 1952 and was subsequently wounded during combat at Koreang-Po-Ri, Korea on November 18th, 1952. After a year of recuperation from his wounds, Sergeant McKissick was given an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps on August 27th, 1953. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Purple Heart. After his discharge, he returned to Alice Manufacturing Company, Inc. and became its president in 1955.
Alice Manufacturing, Inc., honors Sergeant Ellison Smyth McKissick, Jr., his fellow Marines, Korean War veterans, and the thousands of Pickens County veterans who worked in our textile industry before and after answering their call to military duty, and, likewise, to producing uniforms, blankets, parachutes and other military gear that helped our soldiers, airmen and marines win our nations wars. Textiles have been the true lifeblood of Pickens County for the past 100 years, providing livelihood for both the cotton farmer and the workers. The textile industry during our nations wars, saw many of its able bodied young men and women serve, while at home continuing to sustain the war effort through industrial might unsurpassed by our enemies. Throughout the years from the cotton farmer to the textile mill village family, textile workers have been a tremendous sustaining force in war and peace.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Korean. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1849.
Location. 34° 52.983′ N, 82° 42.4′ W. Marker is in Pickens, South Carolina, in Pickens County. Marker can be reached from Pendleton Street, 0.1 miles south of West Main Street. Marker is located near the south entrance of the Pickens County Court House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pickens SC 29671, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thomas Joab Mauldin (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Pickens (within shouting distance of this marker); General Andrew Pickens Charted the Way (within shouting distance of this marker); Pickens County Buffalo Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Pickens County Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); To the Valiant Citizen-Soldiers of Pickens County (within shouting distance of this marker); John C. Calhoun (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. Robert E. Lee (within shouting distance of this marker); Hovie Alexander Nealy (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of Elinor Knight (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pickens.
Also see . . .
1. Korean Service Medal. The Korean Service Medal (KSM) is a decoration of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. (Submitted on June 19, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. United Nations Service Medal. The United Nations Service Medal for Korea is an international military decoration which was established by the United Nations on December 12, 1950. (Submitted on June 19, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. (Submitted on June 19, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,331 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 19, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.