C I T A T I O N BY DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL IS PRESENTED TO SPECIALIST FIVE ALBERT E. SIMMS JR, RA52939056 UNITED STATES ARMY Who distinguished himself by outstandingly meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. During the period NOVEMBER 1967 TO NOVEMBER 1968 He consistently manifested exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results His rapid assessment and solution of numerous problems greatly enhanced the allied effectiveness against a determined and aggressive enemy. Despite many adversities, he invariably performed his duties in a resolute and efficient manner. Energetically applying his sound judgment and extensive knowledge, he has contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the United States mission in the Republic of Vietnam. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

BY DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL WITH "V" DEVICE IS PRESENTED TO SPECIALIST FIVE ALBERT E. SIMMS JR, RA52939056 Service Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Artillery, Americal Division Artillery 96374 For heroism in connection. with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Five Simms distinguished himself by valorous actions on 24 September 1968 while serving as a radar mechanic with Headquarters. and Headquarters Service Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Artillery. On that date, the battery came under a heavy enemy mortar barrage and ground attack at Landing Zone Young. Reacting immediately to the situation, Specialist Simms moved to the top of his bunker and began to place heavy volumes of suppressive fire on the insurgents, When the roof of the bunker was pierced by a dud mortar round, Specialist Simms rushed back into the bunker to aid the two men inside. Assured they were unhurt, he returned to the top of the bunker and placed intense fire on the enemy soldiers. Through his timely and courageous actions, he contributed greatly to the defeat of the enemy force. Specialist Five Simms' personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty and in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.

Department of the Army Headquarters U S Army Artillery and Missile School Fort Sill, Oklahoma 73503 AKPSATS-TA-SE .........................................................8 November 1967 SUBJECT: Letter of Appreciation TO: Specialist Fourth Class Albert E Simms Jr RA 52 939 056 Radar Maintenance Instruction Branch Sensory Equipment Division Target Acquisition Department U S Army Artillery and Missile School Fort Sill, Oklahoma 73503 I take great personal pride in extending our appreciation for your outstanding performance during the period 18 August 1967 to 9 November 1967. During this period you have prepared and presented practical exercise instruction concerning radar maintenance associated with weapons support radars. Your presentations represented instruction of high caliber and excellence. Your enthusiasm and dedication to duty was especially noted by your superiors and contemporaries. You used great initiative and drive in carrying out your requirements as an instructor. You have done an outstanding job during your short stay here at RMIB and the support and cooperation you gave to your superiors is exemplary and commendable. You volunteered on many occasions to give extra instruction upon short notice at student request, and consistently performed in an outstanding manner. The assistance and dedication to your job during the recent IG inspection attributed to RMIB's success and superior rating. You are an excellent soldier and a credit to the United States Army and to this instructional branch. Again I would like to extend my appreciation for your singularly outstanding duty performance during your tour at RMIB. I wish you continued success at your next duty station and express the hope that you will return here for duty in the future. I officially congratulate you for a job "well done". ........Cpt, Arty ........Branch Chief, RMIB

Bronze Star Medal - See above for my specific citation. Army Commendation Medal with V Device - See above for my specific citation. Good Conduct Medal - Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each soldier who distinguishes himself from among his/her fellow soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service. National Defense Medal - Awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954, between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, and between 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995. Vietnam Service Medal - Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Vietnam and contiguous waters or airspace thereover, after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. Soldiers receiving the Vietnam Service Medal are authorized to wear a bronze star to indicate each campaign. Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III 1967-1968; Tet Counteroffensive 1968; Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV 1968; Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V 1968; Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI 1968 Vietnam Campaign Medal - awarded to personnel who served in the Republic of Vietnam for six months during the period of 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973.

I am not able to find the specific reason that my unit in Vietnam was awarded these medals but since my First Sargent told me to wear them I assume that they are legit (Top Sargents are never wrong, are they?) It may be that the unit won them before I was in it which means that I was authorized to wear them while in the unit but not after leaving it.

Presidential Unit Citation - Awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and co-belligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after 7 December 1941. The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. Meritorious Unit Commendation - Awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months during the period of military operations against an armed enemy occurring on or after 1 January 1944. The unit must display such outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks as to set it apart and above other units with similar missions. The degree of achievement required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Legion of Merit to an individual.

Rank Insignia

Private, E-1 - 29 Nov 1966 Private, E-2 - 10 Feb 1967 Private First Class, E-3 - 12 Apr 1966 Specialist 4, E-4 - ?? Nov 1967 Specialist 5, E-5 - 27 Feb 1968 And here I stayed; none of the units that I was in would promote above E-5 without a re- enlistment. I was offered a commission as a Warrant Officer after Vietnam but turned it down as this would have meant a 6 year obligation and an annual rotation to Vietnam. I survived one tour without getting hurt and decided not to "push my luck!"

Unit & Other Insignia
	U.S. Collar Insignia - Worn on the right collar by all U.S.Military forces. Artillery & Missile Insignia - Worn on the left collar by US Army personel assigned to artillery or missle units. The Q-4 Radar was a target aquisition device for the artillery.
	USAAMS Insiginia - Shoulder patch for the US Army Artillery and Missle School. I wore this one before and after Vietnam. Americal Division Insignia - Shoulder Patch for the 23rd (Americal) Division. I wore this one the entire time that I was in Vietnam as well as after coming home.
	198th Light Infantry Brigade Insignia - I wore this one from late January 1968 when I was assigned to it until I went home in November of 1968. 1/14th Artillery Insignia - I also wore this one from late January 1968 when I was assigned to it until I went home in November of 1968.
	Overseas Bars - Worn on the right sleeve to indicate 12 months on overseas duty. Sharpshooters Badge - Sgt. York I am not but with an automatic weapon who needs to be. I did get better in Vietnam but was never retested.
	My Name - Is this for them or me?

Other Mementoes
	Zippo Lighter - A lot of people had these made in Vietnam. Mine was engraved on one side with my unit identification and on the other with my name and places we were located while there.
	P38 Can Opener in mint condition - Everyone used these and most of us kept one in our pockets at all times. This tiny device rivals modern electric can openers, especially when opening that 'difficult' can.
	MPC/Military Payment Certificates - The Army's own version of "funny money." Used instead of regular greenbacks to help prevent what?

Use the tour buttons to take my whole tour of duty in sequence beginning with basic training. No. I am not still in the army; I was discharged in November of 1969 after completing my 3 year enlistment. My wife and I had a lot of laughs this morning as I tried to get into this 31 year old uniform. Either it shrunk or I expanded. I managed to get the coat on and button the top two buttons but no way can I do that with the trousers.Click here to contact me by Email. This site is best viewed with a maximized 800 x 600 size and a high color display setting. Placing your cursor over any of the pictures will display a description for that picture. The music that is playing on this page is 'Caissons', the Field Artillery theme song.