- Other Entry
- SURNAME
Simons
- FORENAME
Arthur David
- UNIT
6 Ranger Bn (Company B + Bn XO)
- RANK
Captain
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star, Bronze Star
- PLACE
Philippines 1945
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 28.6.1918 New York, New York
moved while young to Missouri
graduated University of Missouri, Columbia (ROTC)
2Lt Field Artillery 1941
B Battery,98th Field Artillery Bn 1941-44
Captain 1942 (battery commander)
6th Ranger Bn 1944-45
Major 1945
left Army 1946-51
Infantry Instructor/Ranger Trainer, Fort Benning 1951-54
Public Information Officer, Fort Bragg 1954
US Army Advisory Group, Ankara, Turkey 1954-57
XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg 1957-58
77 Special Forces Group (C Team) 1958-59
7th Special Forces Group 1959-61
Lieutenant Colonel 1961
Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff, US Army Special Warfare Center 1962-63
8th Special Forces Group (C.O.) 1963-65
MACV-SOG 1965-66
XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg 1966-68
Corps, Camp Red Cloud, Korea 1969
Deputy Commander, Joint Contingency Task Group 1970
XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg 1970-71
Ground Commander, Op.Ivory Coast (Son Tay) 1970
awarded DSC (Son Tay), Legion of Merit (1970)
retired from Army 31.7.1971 as Colonel
married Lucille (died 16.3.1978) (2 sons)
died 21.5.1979 Red Bay, Florida
Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida Section 36 Site 1956
CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross (VIETNAM) : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Arthur D. Simons, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while commanding the ground element of a joint United States task force on an operation deep in North Vietnam on 21 November 1970. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Colonel Simons voluntarily participated as a member of a Joint Task Force with the humanitarian mission of rescuing United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at the Son Tay Prison Compound approximately twenty nautical miles from Hanoi, the capital of North Vietnam. In an outstanding display of leadership and personal courage, Colonel Simons led the ground force in the rescue effort. On the ground, the search and rescue element was immediately taken under automatic weapons fire by the enemy. While directing and supervising the operation, Colonel Simons continually exposed himself to enemy fire and, on one occasion, personally took under fire enemy personnel in close proximity to his position. The success of the operation was the direct result of Colonel Simons' calm and competent leadership in an extremely hazardous situation. His professional conduct instilled confidence in his men and resulted in an outstanding operation. Colonel Simons' extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit on him and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/4844
Last edited by a moderator:
