AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-six, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 July 1968, Captain Sims was the aircraft Commander aboard a UH-34 transport helicopter assigned to evacuate the crew of a United States Army Otter aircraft which had been downed by enemy fire east of Phu Bai. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the Otter was situated in an open rice paddy completely surrounded by tree lines. Observing two men under the aircraft and a third lying beside a small dike nearby, he boldly descended and landed his aircraft in proximity to the downed Otter. Embarking two men, he then skillfully air taxied to a position directly beside the third man and, when he was aboard, quickly gained altitude. Questioning one of his passengers, Captain Sims learned that two more men lay in an irrigation ditch thirty meters from the downed aircraft and that the survivors had received automatic weapons fire from a nearby tree line. Relaying this information to the supporting gunships, he then unhesitatingly landed his UH-34 beside the two other men. Ignoring the intense automatic weapons fire directed at his helicopter, he calmly waited for the soldiers to embark, then quickly ascended to a safe altitude and returned to Phu Bai. Although there were enemy forces still active in the area, he completely disregarded his own safety in order to execute three subsequent missions into the same zone to resupply the aircraft security team and to recover valuable intelligence information. Captain Sims' courage, exceptional aeronautical skill and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.