Top karate fighter receives Order of the Palmetto

Black Belt Hall of Famer Bruce Brutschy receives South Carolina’s highest honor

By W. Thomas Smith Jr.

Bruce Hammond Brutschy, an accomplished national martial arts tournament fighter and S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee, received yet another award to add to his already burgeoning awards and decorations room adjacent to his professionally equipped weight room, what he refers to as his “home gym on the [Congaree] river.”

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, Brutschy received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest honor, becoming the fourth S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee – including martial arts legend Mike Genova, global expedition leader Dr. Tom Mullikin, and retired U.S. Marine Col. Steve Vitali – to be so-recognized. Brutschy, a legendary karate fighter in his own right, was presented the Order by Governor Henry McMaster during a noonday ceremony at the Governor’s office attended by nearly 30 guests including six previous recipients of the Order.

A 10th-degree black belt (the highest black belt level), Brutschy was praised by McMaster for his lifetime of service to individuals and groups, service to various law enforcement organizations, physical heroism in thwarting an active criminal incident, and state and national martial arts achievements over the years. McMaster opened the ceremony with: “This is the highest award given by South Carolina. Not everyone, though also exceptionally accomplished, will receive it.”

Keith Vitali, a former #1-ranked U.S. karate tournament champion, S.C. Black Belt Hall of Famer, one of Black Belt magazine’s top 10 fighters of all time, and the elder brother of Col. Steve Vitali, acknowledged Brutschy’s “fight club” accomplishments and years of service as did Dr. Mullikin; prior to the presentation by McMaster.

“Bruce Brutschy epitomizes what this award means,” said Keith Vitali. “No one is more deserving of this recognition than this man.”

Mullikin, who also serves as chair of the gubernatorially established S.C. Floodwater Commission, agrees.

“Bruce’s integrity, kindness, and unwavering sense of responsibility are a testament to his character and speak to the award’s exacting standards,” Mullikin said. “He has led in many areas with humility. He treats everyone with respect, and he brings out the best in those around him. His courage, strength, and complementary compassion remind us of the power of a life lived with honor and purpose.”

In September 2024, Brutschy was elected vice-chair of the Texas-based American Karate Black Belt Association’s (AKBBA) High Dan Board, which is the AKBBA’s martial arts governing and ranking body for AKBBA members worldwide. The AKBBA High Dan Board is composed of 13 members all 8th-degree or higher black belts. Brutschy also serves as one of only three 10th-degree black belt members of the S.C. High Dan Board including Genova and Keith Vitali, the Palmetto State’s martial arts governing and ranking body.

A past president and current member of the West Columbia Police Foundation and former boardmember of the Columbia Police Foundation, Brutschy is famously known for his daring pursuit and apprehension of a dangerous felon more than 20 years ago.

According to news reports from 2004, Brutschy followed a fleeing robber in his vehicle, cornering him in the parking lot of Whitney Hotel. The suspect – a 6’5” 240-pound man previously charged with three counts of armed robbery and assault and battery – rammed Brutschy’s car in an attempt to flee.

“Brutschy was worried the suspect was getting desperate and got out of the car to stop him,” reported WIS-TV on May 11, 2004. Brutschy added: “As I tried to get in the door, he started to reach under the seat, I thought he was going for a gun, so I went ahead and hit the window out, pulled him up, and I think he popped me one right there. We struggled, and he ended up on the ground. I held him until police got there.”

Brutschy was recognized for his singular act of heroism by then-Columbia Mayor Bob Coble.

The Order of the Palmetto was established in 1971 by then-Governor John C. West. Years later, Governor Jim Hodges, who served from 1999 to 2003, appointed a screening and vetting committee to review nominations and make recommendations for the Order of the Palmetto and other subordinate gubernatorial awards like the Order of the Silver Crescent, the state’s second-highest award established by Gov. David Beasley in 1997.

Recipients of the Order of the Palmetto today receive a framed certificate signed by the governor and bearing an impression of the state seal.

Previous recipients of the Order of the Palmetto include astronaut and retired U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, Medal of Honor recipient and retired U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, internationally acclaimed theologian Dr. Derek Thomas, South Carolina Women’s Basketball Head Coach Dawn Staley, former Gamecock Head Football Coach Lou Holtz, former Gamecock Head Baseball Coach and recently retired Athletics Director Ray Tanner, top-ranked PGA champion Dustin Johnson, 2021 National Sheriff of the Year and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, and Hollywood star and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Hootie and the Blowfish is perhaps the only group-recipient of the Order ever presented.

Recipients who have passed away since receiving the Order include the late Rev. Billy Graham, the late bestselling author Pat Conroy, and former World Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier. Famed civil rights activist Rosa Parks, singer-songwriter Ray Charles, Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda, “the Godfather of Soul” James Brown, and world-renowned naturalist and television host Rudy Mancke have all received South Carolina’s highest honor.

The Order of the Palmetto is not awarded posthumously.

 

– Recipients of the Order of the Palmetto who attended Brutschy’s award presentation included Col. Vitali; Dr. Mullikin; Gov. McMaster (who received the honor years before assuming the office of governor); Col. (Ret.) Bill Connor, U.S. Army Infantry; and Col. (Ret.) W. Thomas Smith Jr., S.C. Military Dept. and former U.S. Marine Infantry leader. [Smith is the author of this story.] Mike Genova, who was unable to attend Brutschy’s ceremony is a recipient of both the Order of the Palmetto and the subordinate Order of the Silver Crescent.

[Pictured L-R Mullikin, McMaster, Brutschy and Brutschy’s wife Jeanne Lorick Brutschy.]