Black History Makers: SSgt. Clifford Sims, Medal of Honor winner

Get the Point!

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clifford Sims was born Clifford Pittman in Port St. Joe, Florida, less than an hour south of Tallahassee on the Gulf Coast, on June 18, 1942. Orphaned at an early age, he lived in neighboring Panama City until he was adopted by James and Irene Sims at the age of 13. 

SSgt. Sims

Upon finishing high school, Sims joined the Army in 1961 and initially served in the 82nd Airborne Division. As the war in Vietnam escalated in the mid-60's, he was transferred to the 101st Airborne and became a squad leader for Company D, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry, which was popularly known as the “Delta Raiders.” 

SSgt. Sims was deployed to South Vietnam in 1967 and in early 1968, when Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army units launched the deadly Tet Offensive to coincide with the Vietnamese New Year, Sims and the Delta Raiders engaged in heavy fighting on the outskirts of the city of Hue, South Vietnam.

During a mission on February 21, 1968, Sgt. Sims's squad was nearing a burning ammunition dump when he alertly heard a booby trap go off; Sims threw his body onto the live explosive and was instantly killed as a result. By giving up his life, Sgt. Sims saved the lives of the soldiers under his command!

Mrs. Sims accepting the Medal of Honor from Spiro Agnew, Vice President under Richard Nixon.

SSgt. Sims was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and is buried in the Barrancas National Cemetery near Pensacola, Florida. 

Lest we forget...