Clifford Chester Sims - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Clifford_Chester_Sims

Clifford Chester Sims (June 18, 1942 – February 21, 1968) was a United
Clifford Chester Sims
States Army soldier and a recipient of America's highest military
decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War. Born June 18, 1942
Port St. Joe,
Florida
Died February 21, 1968
(aged 25)
near Huế, Republic
Biography
of Vietnam
Medal of Honor citation
Place of Barrancas National
See also burial Cemetery,
References Pensacola, Florida
External links Allegiance United States of
America
Service/ United States
branch Army
Sims was born Clifford Pittman but was orphaned at an early age.[1] After Years of 1961 - 1968
briefly living in an abandoned school bus and with relatives, he was service
adopted by James and Irene Sims, at the age of 13.[1] He met his later wife, Rank Staff Sergeant
Mary, at George Washington High School and joined the Army from
Unit 2nd Battalion
Jacksonville, Florida shortly after graduation.[1] He moved to Fort Bragg
(Airborne), 501st
and married Mary on December 25, 1961.[1]
Parachute Infantry
In August 1967, Sims moved to Fort Campbell, Kentucky to join Company Regiment, 101st
D, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Airborne Division.[1] By February 21, 1968 he was serving as a Staff Battles/wars Vietnam War †
Sergeant. On that day, during an engagement with enemy forces near Huế Awards Medal of Honor
in the Republic of Vietnam, Sims threw himself onto a triggered Purple Heart
booby-trap device. He was killed in the ensuing explosion, but was
successful in protecting the members of his squad.[1]

Official eye witness reports of the incident report that:

Before the squad reached their destination they encountered a bunker, and SSG Sims took it upon
himself to see if it was empty. As he moved forward a booby trap went off and everybody froze. But SSG
Sims shouted a warning then dove on it, fatally wounding him. However he had covered the blast with
his own body, and thus saved the lives of those in the area."[2]

[Sims] also saved his squad by moving them quickly out of the way of a house filled with ammunition

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which was burning. Just as he got his men away the house blew up. Then on moving toward a bunker a
booby trap was set off, and Sgt Sims yelled for everybody to get back, but before they could he threw
himself on the device taking the entire blast to save his squad from complete disaster. In so doing he
gave up his own life. Each and every man of the 2nd Squad owes his very life to this man, Staff Sergeant
Clifford C. Sims.[3]

Clifford Sims, aged 25 at his death, was buried in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida.

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 2d

Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Place and
date: Near Hue, Republic of Vietnam, February 21, 1968. Entered service
at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: June 18, 1942, Port St. Joe, Fla.[4]

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the

risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Sims
distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with
Company D. Company D was assaulting a heavily fortified
enemy position concealed within a dense wooded area when Sims' family members accept his
Medal of Honor from Vice President
it encountered strong enemy defensive fire. Once within the
Spiro Agnew
woodline, S/Sgt. Sims led his squad in a furious attack
against an enemy force which had pinned down the 1st
Platoon and threatened to overrun it. His skillful leadership
provided the platoon with freedom of movement and
enabled it to regain the initiative. S/Sgt. Sims was then
ordered to move his squad to a position where he could
provide covering fire for the company command group and
to link up with the 3rd Platoon, which was under heavy
enemy pressure. After moving no more than 30 meters
S/Sgt. Sims noticed that a brick structure in which
ammunition was stocked was on fire. Realizing the danger,
S/Sgt. Sims took immediate action to move his squad from
this position. Though in the process of leaving the area 2
members of his squad were injured by the subsequent
explosion of the ammunition, S/Sgt. Sims' prompt actions
undoubtedly prevented more serious casualties from
occurring. While continuing through the dense woods
amidst heavy enemy fire, S/Sgt. Sims and his squad were
approaching a bunker when they heard the unmistakable
noise of a concealed booby trap being triggered immediately
to their front. S/Sgt. Sims warned his comrades of the danger
and unhesitatingly hurled himself upon the device as it

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exploded, taking the full impact of the blast. In so protecting his fellow soldiers, he willingly sacrificed
his life. S/Sgt. Sims' extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life is in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

1. Williams, Despina (May 26, 2009). "Clifford Chester Sims" (http://www.starfl.com/articles/sims-18233-hogan-

school.html). The Star.
2. Meyers, Virgil; Gipson, Danny; Noe, James (1968). Eyewitness Statement of Virgil Meyers, Danny Gipson, and
James Noe. Wikisource.
3. Washington, Robert; Acra, Larry R.; Lucus, Rufus E.; Heiserman, Lester H.; Bongiorno, Salvatore; Troutman,
David; Parnell, Gary O. (1968). Eyewitness Statement of Robert Washington et al.. Wikisource.
4. *"Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients (M-Z)" (http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-m-z.html). Medal of
Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. 2003-10-03. Retrieved 2007-01-29.

"Clifford Chester Sims" (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7024959). Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor

recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2007-01-29.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clifford_Chester_Sims&oldid=829616644"

This page was last edited on 9 March 2018, at 18:52.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this
site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

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SIMS, CLIFFORD CHESTER*

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 2d Battalion

(Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.

Place and date: Near Hue, Republic of Vietnam, 21 February 1968.

Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla.

Born: 18 June 1942, Port St. Joe, Fla.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Sims distinguished himself while serving
as a squad leader with Company D. Company D was assaulting a heavily
fortified enemy position concealed within a dense wooded area when it
encountered strong enemy defensive fire. Once within the woodline, S/Sgt.
Sims led his squad in a furious attack against an enemy force which had
pinned down the 1st Platoon and threatened to overrun it. His skillful
leadership provided the platoon with freedom of movement and enabled it to
regain the initiative. S/Sgt. Sims was then ordered to move his squad to a
position where he could provide covering fire for the company command
group and to link up with the 3d Platoon, which was under heavy enemy
pressure. After moving no more than 30 meters S/Sgt. Sims noticed that a
brick structure in which ammunition was stocked was on fire. Realizing the
danger, S/Sgt. Sims took immediate action to move his squad from this
position. Though in the process of leaving the area 2 members of his squad

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were injured by the subsequent explosion of the ammunition, S/Sgt. Sims'

prompt actions undoubtedly prevented more serious casualties from
occurring. While continuing through the dense woods amidst heavy enemy
fire, S/Sgt. Sims and his squad were approaching a bunker when they heard
the unmistakable noise of a concealed booby trap being triggered
immediately to their front. S/Sgt. Sims warned his comrades of the danger
and unhesitatingly hurled himself upon the device as it exploded, taking the
full impact of the blast. In so protecting his fellow soldiers, he willingly
sacrificed his life. S/Sgt. Sims' extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life is
in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great
credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

The following message was received on 12 July 2001

DEAR NEIL,

I AM THE 37 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OF CLIFFORD SIMS. WHILE

BROWSING THE NET I CAME UPON YOUR SITE AND WOULD LIKE TO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR MISSION TO HONOR HEROES OF THESE UNITED

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STATES. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN CEREMONIES IN

PORT ST. JOE AND JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA HONORING THE MEDAL
RECIPIENTS FROM THAT STATE. IT HAS TRULY BEEN A RE-AWAKENING
OF MY SPIRIT. BEING ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WHEN HE PASSED, HIS MEMORY
WAS JUST THAT...A MEMORY. NOW, HOWEVER, I AM ABLE TO CAPTURE
THE TRUE MEANING OF HIS DILIGENCE TO SERVICE THE COUNTRY, HIS
FELLOW SOLDIERS AND HIS GOD. I AM GRATEFUL THAT HIS MEMORY
LIVES ON AND I AM EVEN MORE GRATEFUL THAT HE IS A PART OF OUR
AMERICAN HISTORY. GOD BLESS HIS LIFE AND THE LIVES OF SOLDIERS
EVERYWHERE!
GINA TOWNSEND

The following message was received on 10 July 2001

The Gulf County Board of County Commissioners is requesting from The Honorable
Jeb Bush, the Governor of Florida , that the new Veteran's Nursing home, to be built
in Panama City Florida, be named after Staff Sergeant Clifford Chester Sims.

It is with great pride that we can claim him as a native son of Gulf County as he was
born and raised in Port St. Joe. Of the 19 Florida Congressional Medal of Honor
Recipients his home is the closest to the proposed location. We appreciate any help
that you can give us. I am Clifford's Brother-in-Law, he was married to my sister.

John Underwood Sr.

--- General / Personal ---

Last name: SIMS

First name: CLIFFORD CHESTER

Home of Record (official): PORT ST JOE

State (official): FL

Date of Birth: Saturday, July 18, 1942

Sex: Male

Race: Negro

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Marital Status: Married

--- Military ---

Branch: Army

Rank: SSG

Serial Number: 14780953

Component: Regular

Pay grade: E6

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B4P

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Thursday, December 14, 1967

Date of Casualty: Wednesday, February 21, 1968

Age at time of loss: 25

Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died

Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)

Country: South VietNam

Province: Thua Thien

The Wall: Panel 40E - Row 056

Back to Citations Page

Back to Home Page

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Clifford C. Sims
Award of Congressional Medal of Honor Files
Eyewitness Statement of 1LT Cleo C. Hogan
Eyewitness Statement of Lawrence Marunchuk
Eyewitness Statement of Michael Watson
Eyewitness Statement of Robert Washington
Eyewitness Statement of Virgil Meyers,
List of Personnel in the Immediate Area Saved
Tactical Situation Diagrams
Motivational Analysis of Actions
Draft Citation
Eyewitness Statement of 1LT Cleo C. Hogan
Eyewitness Statement of 1LT Cleo C. Hogan, Company D, Second Battalion
(Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division Regarding SSG Clifford
C. Sims, 02/21/1968

This eyewitness statement contains evidence of the actions of SSG Clifford

C. Sims, who distinguished himself on February 21, 1968, in the battle of
Hue, Republic of Vietnam. As a result of this and other statements, Staff
Sergeant Sims was awarded posthumously the Congressional Medal of
Honor. In an extraordinary occurrence, SSG Joe Hooper of the same
company earned the Congressional Medal of Honor on the same day.
 FOR OFFICIAL USE OHLY

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FOR GFF1CIAL USE

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Eyewitness Statement of Lawrence Marunchuk
 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
( C o n U r a t i o n o f ETZMITEE35 STATOfflflt)

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FOR GFF1CIAL USE

\s-
Eyewitness Statement of Michael Watson
Eyewitness Statement of Michael Watson, Second Lieutenant,
Company D, Second Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st
Airborne Division, ca. 03/12/1968

This eyewitness statement contains evidence of the actions of Staff

Sergeant Clifford C. Sims, who distinguished himself on 21
February 1968 in the battle of Hue, Republic of Vietnam. As a
result of this and other statements, Staff Sergeant Sims was
awarded posthumously the Congressional Medal of Honor. In an
extraordinary occurrence, Staff Sergeant Joe Hooper of the same
company earned the Congressional Medal of Honor on the same
day.
 FOB OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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•
Eyewitness Statement of Robert Washington
Eyewitness Statement of Robert Washington, Lester H. Heiserman,
Larry R. Acra, Salvatore Bongiorno, Gary O. Parnell, Rufus E.
Lucus, and David Troutman, Company D, Second Battalion
(Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division Regarding
SSG Clifford C. Sims, 02/21/1968
 •~J>-

STATEMENT

1968 Sgt SSaa* ftfud *•* of

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a d Sgt -Sia* yvl2*d. fnp •Mijbodjr to fiat faadc^ tot bvforv thaj <b<rn\& h#
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OFFICIAL USE BRLY

Eyewitness Statement of Virgil Meyers
Eyewitness Statement of Virgil Meyers, Danny Gipson, and James
Noe, Company D, Second Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry,
101st Airborne Division Regarding SSG Clifford C. Sims,
02/21/1968

This eyewitness statement contains evidence of the actions of SSG

Clifford C. Sims, who distinguished himself on February 21, 1968,
in the battle of Hue, Republic of Vietnam. As a result of this and
other statements, Staff Sergeant Sims was awarded posthumously
the Congressional Medal of Honor. In an extraordinary occurrence,
SSG Joe Hooper of the same company earned the Congressional
Medal of Honor on the same day.
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List of Personnel in the Immediate Area Saved
List of Personnel in the Immediate Area Saved by the Heroic
Action of Clifford C. Simms, Staff Sergeant, Company D, Second
Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, at
the Battle of Hue, ca. 03/12/1968

This list identifies the individuals whose lives were saved by the
actions of Staff Sergeant Clifford C. Sims, who distinguished
himself on 21 February 1968 in the battle of Hue, Republic of
Vietnam. As a result of this list, and statements made by others in
Staff Sergeant Sims unit, he was awarded posthumously the
Congressional Medal of Honor. In an extraordinary occurrence,
Staff Sergeant Joe Hooper of the same company earned the
Congressional Medal of Honor on the same day.
 • .

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Tactical Situation Diagrams
Tactical Situation Diagrams Documenting the Heroic Action of
Clifford C. Simms, Staff Sergeant, Company D, Second Battalion
(Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, at the Battle
of Hue, ca. 03/12/1968

These diagrams depict the situation on 21 February 1968, at the

battle of Hue, Republic of Vietnam, at which Staff Sergeant
Clifford C. Sims distinguished himself. As a result of these
diagrams, and statements made by others in Staff Sergeant Sims
unit, he was awarded posthumously the Congressional Medal of
Honor. In an extraordinary occurrence, Staff Sergeant Joe Hooper
of the same company earned the Congressional Medal of Honor on
the same day.
 • t, wf—. — • - - — '•••

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Motivational Analysis of Actions
Motivational Analysis of Actions of Clifford C. Sims by Richard J.
Tallman, Lieutenant, Commanding Officer, Company D, Second
Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division,
02/21/1968

This motivational analysis contains evidence of the actions of SSgt

Clifford C. Sims, who distinguished himself on 21 February 1968
in the battle of Hue, Republic of Vietnam
 Bus ing th* f DUowlna opinion on uhat 1 knov «f Uw

th* dcnditlai af u p ata, tba r « i i t « u a net«ii**nd f

tt* rttaltut fn«w of slud tbloh most er oqr « n m In, I

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put hi* owk Intffrert abota thsirs, Jqat f Jlv* dtj* hftfwa h» dl*d b* w

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wftn* 4 H do I b«ll*T*f a* h* 'Bavtr acted oth#nd>B that 1 m t Avon of j

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Draft Citation
Second Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, Draft Citation for
Award of Congressional Medal of Honor to Clifford C. Sims,
02/21/1968

This draft describes the actions of SSgt Clifford C. Sims on

February 21, 1968, at the battle of Hue, Republic of Vietnam.
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