A Soldier's Story: Staff Sergeant Clifford Chester Sims



Staff Sergeant Clifford Chester Sims was born on June 18, 1942, in Port St. Joe, Florida.  Orphaned early, he lived on his own for a time before being adopted by the Sims.  Despite his early challenges, he graduated from George Washington High School in 1961, and shortly after, Staff Sergeant Clifford Sims enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for Airborne training, Staff Sergeant Clifford Sims remained in the U.S. until his 1965 deployment during the Dominican Republic Expedition with the 82nd Airborne.

Staff Sergeant Clifford Sims was then assigned to the 501st Infantry of the 101st Airborne and deployed to Vietnam for the Vietnam War.

On February 21, 1968, Staff Sergeant Sims earned a Congressional Medal of Honor.  While moving through the area of Hue, Vietnam, his team came upon a small structure.  Staff Sergeant Sims, checking to ensure the structure was unmanned, activated a tripwire and the explosive within the building.  Staff Sergeant Clifford Sims muffled the explosion with his body, saving the rest of his team.

Staff Sergeant Clifford Chester Sims rests in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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Location: Port St Joe, FL 32456, USA

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