Veteran of the Month – Gregory M. (Greg) Sims
January 3, 2014
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| DECORATIONS:
Army Good Conduct Medal Nat Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal w/ silver star Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Gallantry Cross Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Presidential Unit Citation Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) Sharpshooter Badge w/automatic rifle & rifle
MILITARY SCHOOLS/ TRAINING: Basic Training – Fort Dix, NJ (8 wks) |
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Sergeant Gregory Sims was drafted into the U.S. Army in Hartford, CT on May 13, 1968 at the age of 19 following his graduation from Canton High School. Sims was sent to Fort Dix, NJ for eight weeks of basic training and then sent to Fort Still, OK for artillery training. In October 1968, after completing his training courses, Sergeant Sims was deployed overseas. His first stop was Cam Rahn Bay, Republic of Vietnam, and then Ill Corps and Landing Zone (LZ Oasis), which is approximately 24 km SSW of Pleiku in the Central Highlands.
Sergeant Sims was assigned to Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 9th Artillery, 4th Infantry Division as an Assistant Gunner for 105 mm Howitzers. After a short stint with B Battery as a "Newbie," Sims was transferred to the Infantry, and assigned to C Co. 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry as a Radio Telephone Operator and Recon Sergeant.
On the afternoon of May 11 at 0100 hours, during the TET offensive of 1969 (a series of attacks mounted by principally North Vietnamese forces), LZ Oasis was attacked by over 600 North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Sappers and was partially overrun. The battle lasted three hours, or until "Puff the Magic Dragon" (an AC-130 Gunship; a heavily armed ground attack aircraft) arrived with their multi-mini guns. Twenty five Americans were killed in action (KIA), three were missing in action (MIA) while NVA casualties were estimated around 400.
During his deployment overseas, Sergeant Sims also participated in an attack on Phu Prong Mountain when the 35th Infantry was sent to neutralize the 24th NVA Regiment, and was engaged in heavy combat.
While the regular tour of duty for a service member was one year, Sims remained in Vietnam an additional three months in order to get an early discharge upon returning to the states. On December 16, 1969, after spending one year, 2 months, and 14 days in Vietnam, Sergeant Sims was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.