Updated 29 May 2022

"Captain Simmons has been singled out as possibly the finest company commander of any combat engineer company in the country [South Vietnam]. Captain Simmons served this Group [45th Engr Grp, RVN, 1971-2] as Company Commander of a separate company, reporting directly to the Group Commander. He was hand-picked to command the residual company of his battalion [39th Engr Bn] from a number of other outstanding company commanders. Operating strictly on his own, he has exhibited the highest degree of maturity, self-sufficiency, initiative, command-control, and professionalism well beyond that expected by any officer in the Army. His company was so highly respected and admired that it was given special commendation and recognition by several General officers in Military Region One [Adjacent to DMZ & North Vietnam]. His greatest attribute, however, is his ability to look after the troops and their welfare. I would fight to serve with Captain Simmons at any time in the future."
W. O. Bachus, Colonel, Corps of Engineers
Commander, 45th Engineer Group (Construction)
Military Region One, Republic of Vietnam
24 December 1971

DIRECTIONS: Skip is buried in Garden of Good Shephard, Lot 112, Grave A1, Polk Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Columbia, Tennessee. Enter the cemetery through the main stone gateway entrance; the Garden of Good Shephard is the second garden on the right. Take the walkway toward the statue of the Good Shephard. The Richardson plot is on the left, 4 rows of markers in from the road. Skip has since been joined in the Richardson family plot with the passing of his parents-in-law: Mr Louis W. Richardson and Mrs Kathleen "Khaki" Richardson.

PARENTS:
Wilton Lawrence "Bud" Simmons was born in Chico, California on 3 September 1910, the second child of Charles Franklin "Frank" Simmons and Ida Caroline (Allwardt) Simmons, of 330 Oak Street. September 1931 to March 1941, Bud was a printer, operating platen and cylinder presses, typesetter, bookkeeping, in small commercial plant, Hurst & Moore, in Chico. On Dec 13, 1916, Mary Virginia Fowler was born in Kansas City, Mo to parents unknown, but was adopted from St Anthony Orphanage, as the only child of John W.B. "Jack" and Phillis (Alderson) Fowler of Fort Scott, Kansas. Mary Virginia's father, Jack, was born John W.B. Carter, but at a young age following the deaths of his parents, was adopted after arrival in the United States by George Fowler. Mary Virginia graduated from Chico High School on 7 June 1934. She went on to employment with Butte Tractor Company, where she lived initially in Chico, then Sacramento and eventually in San Jose, CA. Wilton L Simmons and Mary Virginia Fowler were married on Tuesday, 7 October 1941 in Carson City, Ormsby County, NV. Wilton L. (Bud) Simmons was an infantry officer assigned to the 184th Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division. The 7th Division spent WWII in the Pacific fighting against the Japanese. In April 1944, Mary Virginia [Fowler] Simmons moved from Sacramento to 2040 Alameda Way, San Jose to continue working for the Alm family. That same month, her husband, Captain Bud Simmons, returned to the United States to attend the 4-month long Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Ft Benning, Georgia. Mary Virginia traveled by train a few times from San Jose to Georgia to spend time with her husband. The Course ended in September and CPT Simmons took a train west and ultimately traveled to Hawaii to rejoin his unit, the 184th Infantry Regiment, which was making final preparations for the planned amphibious assault on Leyte Island in the Philippines.

BIOGRAPHY:
On 17 May 1945, Charles Franklin "Skip" Simmons was born in San Jose, California; the first child of Bud & M. Virginia Simmons. Skip was born at 10:59 am in the San Jose Hospital in San Jose. Family friend, Gilbert Alm, had taken Mrs Simmons to the hospital and stayed throughout. Skip was named after his grandfather, Charles Franklin Simmons. The 22 May 1945 entry in Virginia's diary reads: "Skipper weighs 9 lbs 3 oz now". On the 30th, Virginia and her son went home from the hospital. On Sunday, 15 July 1945, they moved to 51 Matt Street in San Jose.

Skip was the lone grandchild known to his grandmother, Mrs Ida Caroline (Allwardt) Banta. Unfortunately, Grandma Ida passed away of a brain tumor at 8:55pm on 21 July 1945 in San Francisco, where she was undergoing treatment.

The battle for Okinawa ended in July 1945 and then in August, Japan surrendered unconditionally. Skip's father, now Major Simmons, along with the 7th Infantry Division moved to Korea to accept the surrender of Japanese forces there. Skip's father remained with his unit in Korea until early November, when he departed aboard a ship sailing to San Francisco. On 28 November 1945, he separated from the U.S. Army, having achieved the rank of Major, and arrived in San Mateo at the home of his wife and young son.

During the period, July 1946 – 10 October 1946, the Simmons family lived at 1739 Ivy Street in San Mateo. Bud worked for Frazer Johnson Inc, a furnace manufacturer, in San Francisco as Timekeeper & Production Control. Skip's brother, Richard Lawrence was born 19 September 1946 at Mills Memorial Hospital in San Mateo. It was around this time that Bud decided to return to the United States Army.

Major Simmons' first assignment after returning to the Army was at Fort Lewis, Washington, October 1946 – November 1947. The Simmons family lived at the Ft Lewis Inn (by 1981, it had become the Ft Lewis museum) before moving into government quarters on post, Quarters 171-C, Stryker Ave, Fort Lewis.

Major Simmons next assignment was in Germany. The Simmons family of four sailed from New York to Bremerhaven, Germany. During the period, January 1948 – June 1951 the Simmons family lived in occupied Germany.
- Jan-Aug '48 in Karlsruhe, Germany. Skip's father served as the S2 (Intelligence Officer) of the 1st Constabulary Squadron, US European Command (EUCOM). In a letter to friends in the States, dated June 6, 1948, Skip's mother wrote, "The kids are fine. Dick is just about as large as Skip now and tough as nails. They fight from morning till night. Dick is also starting to talk now, and he is so funny in everything he does, but boy does he have a temper, and now Skip is learning that he can howl when he wants something too."
- Aug1948–Oct1950 in Schweinfurt, Germany. During this period, Skip's father served initially as the Executive Officer (2nd in command) of the 1st Constabulary Squadron, EUCOM, then as the Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment, EUCOM.
- October - December 1950, in Bad Wildungen, During this period and final months before the Simmons family returned to the States, Skip's father was promoted to the duty position of S4 (Logistics Officer) of the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment, EUCOM.
- Dec '50 to June'51, in Bad Nauheim, Germany.
In June 1951, the Simmons family (including their first dog, a Dachshund) sailed from Bremerhaven to New York aboard USS General Darby. Upon arrival at Fort Hamilton, NY on 20 June 1951; the family took 30 days leave to drive across the country and to visit family in Chico.

For the brief period following return to the States, August – November 1951, the family lived in Medford, Oregon where Major Simmons served an advisor to the Oregon National Guard. Skip (1st grade) & Dick (kindergarten) attended Medford Elementary School.

November 1951 to April 1953, the family lived at Camp Cooke, California (Camp Cooke is now Vandenberg Air Force Base), where Major Simmons was the Assistant Chief of Staff G4 (Logistics Officer). Skip & Dick attended Lompoc Elementary School in the nearby town of Lompoc, CA.

In April 1953, the family moved to Presidio of San Francisco, where they remained until August 1954. They lived at 1535 Pershing Drive, apartment E, Presidio of San Francisco (as of 2018, the apartment is still there, and in use). Skip (completed 2nd & 3rd grades) and Dick (completed 1st & 2nd grades) attended San Francisco public schools. First at Winfield Scott Elementary School in the Marina neighborhood at 3630 Divisadero (WSES closed in 1989; later re-opened as the Claire Lilienthal school), and then to school closer to their home, Alamo Elementary School (founded in 1926) in the central Richmond District neighborhood at 250 23rd Avenue (as of 2018 is an active K-5 school of approximately 540 students).
August 6, 1953, Skip's sister and youngest brother were born, Jane & Bob, at Letterman Army Hospital.

Skip's father flew on to his next assignment at U.S. Army's Camp Zama, Japan. In August 1954, the remainder of the family, mother with her four children, ages 9, 7, & twins age 1, and the dog, Blitz, sailed to Japan aboard the USS General A.E. Anderson, departing the pier at Fort Mason 13 August 1954, and arrived Yokohama, Japan 12 days later on August 25, 1954.

Camp Zama, Japan, August 1954–March 1957. Camp Zama is in the city of Sagamihara, approximately 25 miles southwest of Tokyo (as of 2018, Camp Zama is still an active U.S. Army facility in Japan). Skip and his brother, Dick, attended Sagamihara Military Dependents Elementary School and both were acolytes at the Camp Zama Chapel. As a Boy Scout in Japan, Skip climbed to 9th Station on Mount Fuji (highest mountain in Japan) with his Boy Scout Troop while attending Boy Scout summer camp at Camp Motosu on one of the five sacred lakes around Mount Fuji. While at camp one summer a typhoon hit Japan. This necessitated evacuation of the Scouts to a Camp Fuji up the side of the mountain. The Scouts were there about 2 days before returning to Camp Motosu on the lake [this info on the experience at Camp Motosu provided by family friend, Mike Gilchrist, Col, USAF].

The family left Japan on 13 March 1957 in route to Lieutenant Colonel Simmons' new assignment at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. This time, the family flew from Tokyo International Airport on a Pan American Airlines Clipper, the "Queen of the Pacific" with a stop on Wake Island, arriving at San Francisco International Airport at 7am, 14 March 1957. After spending time visiting Uncle Bob Simmons (Bud's brother) & Aunt Alice at their home on Wagner Street in San Lorenzo, and then in Chico visiting family friends, the family drove from San Francisco to Washington DC, 7 - 23 April, in their Ford station wagon, with stops in Denver, CO; Fort Scott, KS (Mrs Simmons home town), Vandalia, Ill; and Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

The next four years, March 1957 – June 1961, the family of six lived at #6027 22nd Road North, Arlington, VA. Lieutenant Colonel Simmons worked for the Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA) at the Pentagon. Skip & Dick attended Robert E. Lee Elementary School at 3710 Lee Hwy in spring of 1957 and 6th grade in '57-58; Skip repeated 6th grade, his brother completed 6th grade. Skip and Dick attended 7th – 9th grade at Swanson Junior High on Washington Blvd in Arlington VA. Skip played French horn in the school band in 9th grade and played on the 9th grade football team. Skip was awarded the block "S" for service to the school with the Stage Service Crew. Skip and Dick continued their involvement in the Boy Scouts, now in Troop 112, which met at Christ Methodist Church in Arlington. Both earned Boy Scout's "God and Country Award' at Trinity Presbyterian Church, where the family regularly attended church.

Skip, as a 15 yr-old Boy Scout, served as an usher at President J.F. Kennedy's Inauguration parade in Wash DC on Friday, 20 January 1961. 8" of snow fell the night before the inauguration. The day of President Kennedy's inauguration was very cold. Despite the cold, a large crowd turned out for the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural parade. At noon, the temperature was only 22°F and the wind was blowing from the northwest at 19 mph making it feel like the temperature was 7°F above zero.

The Evening Star newspaper of Washington, D.C. on Friday, January 20, 1961, Section C (Metro Area News) included on pg. C-1 two brief articles on the role of Boy Scouts in the Inauguration parade. They read:
Boy Scouts Serve – Eighteen hundred Boy Scouts from the Metropolitan Council were acting as ushers in the stands along the parade route and were serving meals to approximately 2,000 workers who had to east "on the run."
Scouts Lend Aid – Some 1,700 Boy Scouts and the Kline Paper Stock Co. combined to assist the Army in Operation Dry Seat. The firm's tractor-trailer dumped 28,000 pounds of old newspapers at central points, and the Scouts, after brushing the boards clear of snow, distributed the papers to parade watchers as insulation.

The following day, January 21, 1961, the Washington Post included a brief article on pg C2, which read:
Boy Scouts Star in Parade Duties
Piling up good deeds like stacks of snow, some 1800 National Capital Area Council Boy Scouts worked hectically at the parade.
They were ushers at stands, messengers for the Inaugural Committee, dispensers of some 2500 lunches to their members and other Inaugural workers, and information officers.
Together with the Army, the Boy Scouts had set up an information booth at the USO building on Lafayette Square. They helped Inaugural Committee members find each other and directed queries of the weary and the lost.

Skip's father retired from the Army on 31 March 1961 during a retirement ceremony at Fort Myer, Virginia, on the south side of the Potomac River, overlooking Washington, D.C. In July 1961, the family moved to California, after a long memorable sightseeing car trip in the family's new 1961 Plymouth station wagon across the country, with sightseeing visits and visits to family friends in NYC (the family stayed at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn); the United States Military Academy at West Point; Boston; White Mountains of New Hampshire; Rochester, NY; Mackinac Island, Michigan; Detroit Lakes, MN; Fargo, ND; Theodore Roosevelt National Park; Devils Tower and Mount Rushmore National Monuments; Custer Battlefield National Monument; Yellowstone National Park; and the Oregon Coast. Though initially uncertain as to where the family would settle, in Marin County - the north San Francisco Bay area or in Chico, the family settled in Chico at 1368 Filbert Ave, after Colonel (Retired) Simmons was offered a job at Butte Creek Rock Company, owned by Mr Gilbert Alm. Skip and Dick attended Chico High School, the twins went to Sierra View Elementary School. After arriving in Chico, Skip wasted no time in finding and joining a Boy Scout Explorer Post. Late that summer, in August, Skip earned the BSA 50 Mile Historical Trails award hiking in Lassen National Park, including hiking to the top of Mount Lassen.

Skip worked as a counselor at BSA Camp Lassen, the summer camp of the Mount Lassen Area Council. He instructed Nature, Wildlife and Marksmanship merit badges during the four summers of '62-'65. He also worked as a farm laborer for Mr Trammel Moore on Currier-Gage Ranch, just south of Chico, doing mechanical planting, working with bees, fertilizing, harvesting, fence repair and trucking of almonds, rice, prunes and safflower; worked part time during winters lighting smudge pots on nights when the temperature was forecasted to drop below 32 degrees and full time during summer of '66.

In a 5 June 1962 letter to close Army family friends, the Herres family, Skip's mother wrote about Skip's activities:
"He is taking a lifesaving course (1 week) this week in order to get his Lifesaving [merit] badge for Eagle [Scout]. It's the last one he needs; he has all the others, so this time next week should be an Eagle, at long last. He loves the Explorers [Scouts] and is getting them to start a rifle team, with Bud as coach. He is still very active on the Teen Council which he loves. He works every weekend at the ranch and dearly loves that. This summer he will work all summer for his room and board plus $100 a month which isn't bad. This spring he worked even on school nights for a few nights of smudging (oil pots to light, etc, to keep the frost away from the almonds). He has worked almost every weekend; still hasn't a penny as his car took every cent. He finally decided he couldn't afford it, so he sold it at a $100 loss, but he did learn that it cost money to run a car, so maybe it was a good lesson. He got a job during the Silver Dollar County Fair [in Chico] a couple of weeks ago, running the spot lights for the fashion shows, dances, etc. So he really is on the run all the time. About once a week he takes a girl to the movies, rarely the same girl which is good, I think. He was 17 on the 17th of May; along came a girl bringing him a birthday cake she had baked."

At age 17, Skip was 6'2", weighed 150lbs, brown eyes and black hair

On June 4, 1964, Skip and Dick graduated along with approximately 500 of their senior year classmates from Chico Senior High School during graduation exercises held on the football stadium field of Chico State College. Skip was President of Explorer Post 4, 1964-1965. He was also a member and Group Leader in Christian Youth Fellowship; attended CYF conferences in Berkeley, CA; Red Bluff, CA and at Chapman College, Orange County, CA. Skip was President of XP4 Rifles, National Rifle Association, sponsored by Company A, 2d Battalion, 184th Infantry, 49th Division, California Army National Guard. Skip was an honorary life member of the Chico Teen Center and in 1964 was honored by that group by being awarded its annual "Teenager of the Year" award.

That summer of 1964, Skip and Dick attended Millards College Preparatory School in the small town of Bandon, near Coos Bay, Oregon with objective to improve the likelihood of earning a Congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy. Skip also attended the winter program, September '64 – March '65. He didn't receive an appointment to West Point. He therefore attended Chico State College (later Cal State U – Chico), fall '65 – spring '66 with a focus on History and Geography. Skip became a member of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity.

After reaching the age of 18, Skip became a member of Chico Lodge No. 111, Free and Accepted Masons. Masonry is the world's first and largest fraternal organization. It is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to help make the world a better place.

On 6 September 1966, a few months after reaching the age of 21, having completed his freshman year at Chico State College, and with the United States fully engaged in the Vietnam War, Skip enlisted in US Army at Oakland, CA. He was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington for Basic Combat Training (BCT), 19 Sep-12 Nov 1966. He then completed Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for MOS 11B1, Infantryman, beginning in late Nov'66 through early March 1967 at Fort Lewis, when it was cold and raining a lot. As a result of his exceptional Soldier and leader qualities demonstrated during BCT and AIT, he advanced in rank from E-1 to E-5 (Specialist 5), in the span of 6 months, was assigned the MOS of 12B20 Combat Engineer, and was selected to attend the 23-week Engineer Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Belvoir, VA, March –August 1967. On 25 August 1967, Skip, graduated from Engineer OCS class 30-67, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of Engineers. In attendance were his father, mother, sister and brothers, as well as family friends, Colonel (US Army) & Mrs Herres, and sisters Lieutenant Colonel (USAF) Patricia Doyle and Lieutenant Commander (USN) Virginia Doyle.

19 October1967– 30 July 1968, Skip was assigned to 51st Engineer Battalion, Fort Campbell, KY, an engineer battalion just activated on 1 October, and not yet without its authorized number of Soldiers. His primary duties were establishing admin files, obtaining facilities with sufficient installation property to accommodate unit personnel when assigned, accepting and storing property, and developing unit standard operating procedures (SOP) for future use. He served as a platoon leader, company executive officer and training officer. His first two officer evaluation reports (OER) covering the period 25Aug1967 - 30 July 1968 included comments of the Company Commander, one of which was, "LT Simmons has achieved the highest standard of performance of any officer in his grade I have known." The Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Harlan L. Bork, a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, wrote, "Because of his [2LT Skip Simmons] demonstrated interest and ability he was selected from among some 35-40 contemporaries for assignment as a unit commander. He has been zealous and exuberant in his performance of duty, and he is fully effective when working under minimum supervision. He is an exceptionally capable and competent officer."

Early that fall, Skip met Miss Kay Lowry Richardson of Columbia, Tennessee, the daughter of Louis and Kathleen Richardson. In April 1968, they announced their engagement. On 29 June 1968, they were married at Graymere Church of Christ, in Columbia. Skip's brother Dick was the best man. Simmons family friends attending the wedding were Lieutenant Colonel (USAF) Patricia Doyle, Colonel (US Army) & Mrs Yarrington and David Pierce. The newly married couple went on a short honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tn.

Later that summer of '68, after completing the 3-week US Army Jungle Operations Course at Fort Sherman, the Canal Zone, Panama, Skip went on to his next assignment, Vietnam. He spent a year there, late August 1968 – late August 1969, where he was assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion (Combat) of the 937th Engineer Group (Combat) in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. 20th Engineers was commanded by LTC John F. Wall, Jr. Skip's wife returned home and lived with her parents for the year.

Shortly after reporting to the 20th Engineers, on 25 August 1968, Skip was promoted to First Lieutenant. During his first five months in the Battalion, he served as the Battalion S-2 (Intelligence & Security Officer), responsible for all battalion reconnaissance, physical security of the base camp and the six-man civic action team. At the end of December 1968, fifteen months after being commissioned, the comments on his OER included, "Lt Simmons worked enthusiastically and aggressively in all areas; he displayed a desire to learn each job, and quickly developed a mature, professional knowledge in each area." "This officer overcomes any and all obstacles in accomplishing his mission to the best of his ability."

The strength of the U.S. Army in Vietnam reached a peak of nearly 360,000 soldiers by mid-year 1968. The year also became the deadliest of the Vietnam War with Americans suffering 16,592 killed. The deadliest week of the Vietnam War for the USA was during the Tet Offensive specifically February 11–17, 1968. In May, the first US and North Vietnamese delegations met at the Paris peace talks to discuss American withdrawal and preservation of South Vietnam. At the end of October, President Johnson announced a total halt to US bombing in North Vietnam, that is, termination of the 3 ½-year OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER, the U.S. air campaign over North Vietnam. The campaign cost more than 900 American aircraft. Eight hundred and eighteen pilots killed or missing and hundreds were in captivity. On November 5th, Richard Nixon (Republican) won the Presidential election.

Beginning on or about the first of January 1969, Skip was re-assigned from duty as the 20th Engr Battalion S-2 to the new 538th Land Clearing Company as a platoon leader; CPT Cooper Wright commanding. The 538th was one of six US Army Land Clearing Companies in Vietnam. It was also one of the newly created companies of the 20th Engineer Battalion; Skip was given the additional duty of company property book officer. As such, his responsibilities included travel throughout Vietnam receiving initial issue of the company's equipment.

"The 937th Engineer Group's 35th Land Clearing Team expanded into [the core of the newly activated on 1 January 1969] 538th Land Clearing Company. It cleared sections along Highways 1 and 14 and Route 6B near Qui Nhon." (Ref: Pg 479, Engineers at War-The US Army in Vietnam, by Adrian G. Traas, 2010).

To provide a better understanding of Skip's duties, responsibilities and work environment as an officer and platoon leader in a Land-clearing Company, the next several paragraphs were extracted from: Dept of the Army Vietnam Studies – U.S. Army Engineers 1965-1970, by Major General Robert R. Ploger, Published 2000; pgs. 95-103, Land Clearing.

Pg 99, As the intensity of U.S. involvement in the conflict increased, the requirement for additional land-clearing units became apparent. In December 1968, the three land-clearing teams in all of Vietnam were reorganized as companies with thirty Rome Plows each and were also provided with a significantly better capacity for self-support, particularly in maintenance. One month later, in January 1969, three additional land-clearing companies were activated, bringing the total to six, a number that was maintained until April1970 when one of the companies was inactivated under the terms of the draw-down of US forces in Vietnam.

Pg. 95, Engineer methods of land clearing gained wide acceptance as among the most effective tactical innovations the war. As techniques evolved for the employment of land-clearing units, these units more and more became the key element sin successful operations aimed at penetrating enemy strongholds, exposing main infiltration routes, denying areas of sanctuary, and opening major transportation routes to both military and civilian traffic.

Pg. 95, In the vocabulary of U.S. forces in Vietnam, Rome Plow came to be synonymous with land clearing. Of all the various types of land-clearing equipment tested in Vietnam, the military standard D7E tractor [built by Caterpillar Tractor], equipped with a heavy-duty protective cab and a special tree-cutting blade manufactured by the Rome Company of Rome - Cedartown, Georgia, proved to be by far the most versatile and effective. The tractor took its name from it most imposing feature – the huge blade on the front. The Rome Plow blade was designed to move over the ground six inches above the surface, shearing off most of the vegetation but leaving the root structure to prevent erosion. The blade has a leading knife-edge that was sharpened by a portable grinder at least once daily.

An integral part of the land-clearing operation was aimed at improving security along roadways. Wherever a highway passed through jungle or heavy brush in areas subject to enemy activity, the land had to be cleared on either side for distances up to a hundred meters. The Rome Plow was the principal tool in these clearing operations. When the cover provided by the brush was removed, it was difficult for the enemy to stage an ambush.

The primary mission of the land clearing platoon was to clear foliage; which could provide concealment to enemy forces waiting in ambush or approaching a friendly forces base camp. Clearing areas of the jungle serving as enemy basecamps and infiltration routes, clearing 500-yard-wide strips or fields of fire around friendly forces base camps and 100-yard-wide strips on both sides of key roads to lessen the enemy's capability to mount ambushes, and clearing helicopter landing zones are some of the tasks performed by the land clearing units . Since requests for Rome Plows far exceeded their availability, high-level control was essential to assure that land-clearing units were used only for tasks of the highest priority.

Pg. 100, It became routine for a plow operator to spend twelve hours clearing jungle under conditions of extreme physical discomfort and hazard, and then return to the night defensive position (NDP) and work for six to eight more hours in the darkness repairing his tractor for the honor of being able to repeat the cycle on the following day. To meet the massive demands of a land-clearing company for spare parts, daily deliveries by Chinook (CH-47) helicopter became routine. Land clearing operations generally last forty-five days before a unit was allowed a fifteen-day maintenance stand-down at its home base. Probably no item of equipment was ever operated so far beyond the limits of its designed capabilities as was the Rome Plow tractor in Vietnam.

Pg. 102, It was expected that land-clearing companies would suffer high casualty rates both from enemy action and from natural hazards. Most enemy-inflicted casualties came from mines encountered in the cut or from mortar attacks on night defensive positions. Aside from the obvious danger from falling trees, some of which ranged up to six feet in diameter, there were other natural hazards. Perhaps the most notable of these was the bee. Swarms of these insects often brought clearing activity to a standstill, and many operators had to be hospitalized, some in serious condition. Green smoke flares proved the best means for repulsing bees. No other color than green seemed effective.

Pg 101, The Land clearing operation was conducted from a hastily constructed nighttime defensive position (NDP). This was home for a task force that consisted of a land-clearing company and a security force. As the clearing progressed the NDP was moved every five to seven days to a new location. Each day's clearing was carefully planned the previous evening by the security force commander and by the supporting land-clearing commander. Planning included the exact delineation of the area to be cleared, the deployment of security forces, the routes to be followed to and from the cut, special procedures to be followed in case of enemy contact, and the use of preparatory and supporting artillery and small arms fire. Because of difficulties in navigating in heavy jungle, the operation was normally controlled from a helicopter by an officer from the land-clearing unit. On the average, a land-clearing company could be expected to clear between 150 and 200 acres of medium jungle each day. In any specific operation, production depended on many variables including terrain, weather, maintenance, and enemy action.

Pg. 95, "These engineer troops [Land Clearing] rapidly developed a zestful pride in the importance, difficulty, and hazards of their occupation, and while their deportment and appearance sometimes fell short of normal [U.S. Army] standards, their spirit, courage and persistence under the most adverse conditions entitled them to a substantial claim to elite status."

Pg. 103, "In most land –clearing companies, two out of three men became casualties from enemy action during a one-year tour. Yet the rates at which land-clearing Soldiers re-enlisted or voluntarily extended their tours in Vietnam were consistently at or near the top of U.S. Army, Vietnam statistics. These men, almost universally, acquitted themselves most admirably."

Near the midpoint of his 12-month tour in Vietnam, Skip departed Vietnam on his 2-week Rest & Recuperation (R&R) leave. He and his wife had decided in advance to meet in Honolulu and spend his leave there.

In early April 1969, Skip was the recipient of a Letter of Commendation with laudatory comments from the Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division (Major General D.R. Pepke) routed through the commanders of the 937th Engineer Group, the 20th Engineer Battalion, and Commander, 538th Engineer Company (Land Clearing), who added his own endorsement before providing the general's letter to Lieutenant Simmons. The general's letter included the comments: "The 4th Infantry Division has seldom associated with an organization as efficient and aggressive as that which accomplished land clearing on Route 14S between Pleiku and Ban Me Thout [in Central Highlands of South Vietnam]. When the clearing operation begun on 17 December 1968, initially under the direction of Lieutenant Smith [Lt Simmons predecessor until 1 Jan '69], the plows immediately gained high productivity averaging almost four acres per dozer day." "Over the period 17 December 1968 to 1 March 1969, the records show 7,900 acres of land cleared in 75 days for an overall average of 105 acres per day. All phases of the operation were exemplary."

"For the Army Engineers 1969 was a year of transition in their support functions. The second half of the year saw curtailment of many base construction projects and a consistently high emphasis on road construction projects. The opening and upgrading of major highways and feeder roads provided the people in rural areas access to the cities and permitted transportation and commerce between cities. It was also an important legacy to the people of Vietnam." Pg 163, U.S. Army Engineers 1965-1970, Ploger.

Just prior to returning home in late August, Skip was promoted to Captain on 25 August 1969. At the conclusion of his tour in Vietnam, Skip was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in Vietnam. It read:
Citation
"BY DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT
THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
IS PRESENTED TO
FIRST LIEUTENANT CHARLES F. SIMMONS
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, UNITEND 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 23 August 1968 to 17 August 1969 he consistently manifested exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results. His rapid assessment and solution of numerous problems inherent in a combat environment 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 judgement 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."

U.S. strength numbers peaked in 1969 at 549,500 but the U.S. lost 11,516 killed in action. Earlier in 1969, President Nixon announced a coming end to US combat in Southeast Asia via a phased withdrawal of US forces in the coming years, and a simultaneous strengthening of South Vietnam's ability to defend itself.

Skip departed Vietnam in August 1969. He had accumulated leave time and returned to his wife at her parent's home in central Tennessee, the town of Columbia. Soon after arriving in Columbia, he and his wife made the four hour drive to Rome - Cedartown, Georgia to visit the Rome Plow Company, where the land clearing blade kits were manufactured for use in Vietnam.

Captain Simmons spent his first 10 months back in the States assigned to the 75th Engineer Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland. Skip and his wife rented an apartment in nearby Laurel, MD. His duties in the battalion were Battalion S-2(Intelligence/Security Officer) and Training Officer. His closeout OER with the 75th included, "CPT Simmons can be depended upon to accomplish any task assigned no matter how diverse with dispatch and with completed competency." "He has the potential to reach the highest positions in the Army." "CPT Simmons is an officer whose devotion to duty is equaled by few men."

In June 1970, Skip and his wife moved to Fort Belvoir, Virginia while Skip attended the 8-month long Engineer Officer Advanced Course at Fort Belvoir. On 28 September 1970, Kay gave birth to their first child, Richard Miles Simmons at the Alexandria [Virginia] Hospital. Their family also included a Basset Hound, Blitz, and two cats, Grant and Sherman.

Following completion of the Engineer Officer Advanced Course, Skip attended the 3-week Construction Plans & Operations Course, also conducted at Fort Belvoir.

He returned to Vietnam for his second tour, 16 March 1971 – 15 April 1972, and service in the 39th Engineer Battalion (Combat) of the 45th Engineer Group, headquartered at Chu Lai, approximately 100 km (60 miles) southwest down the coast from Da Nang. Chu Lai was in Military Region One which bordered North Vietnam. HQ of the Americal Division, including its organic 26th Engineer Battalion, was also at Chu Lai. By 1971 Chu Lai was a sprawling military base. Republic of Korea army soldiers occupied the southern end, airfield in the middle, Infantry, USO, hospitals, and Command along the coast. Artillery,Choppers, Engineers, and Navy at the northern end.

Pg. 515, Engineers at War, In I Corps [aka Military Region 1, northern most of the four military regions], the three battalions of the 45th Engineer Group carried out operational support tasks for XXIV Corps and highway projects. Work included building bunkers, aircraft revetments, security towers, access roads to bases and repairing airstrips."

Pg. 545, Engineers at War. "The 45th [Engineer] Group in I Corps continued operations until early 1972. In April 1971, Col. Walter O. Bachus assumed command….At this time the group consisted of the 14th, 27th – located at Phu Bai, and 39th Combat – located at Chu Lai and the 84th Construction Battalion – located at Da Nang, and assorted smaller units, some 3,500 troops. The 39th Battalion was supporting the Americal Division and the 27th Battalion supporting the 101st Airborne Division. Work accomplished that summer by the 39th included airfield improvements and repairs at Chu Lai."

Initially Skip served as the Battalion Assistant Operations Officer. Shortly thereafter he was put in command of Company C. C Company had approximately 150 men, made up of officers, NCOs and soldiers; thirteen 5-ton dump trucks, three bucket loaders, two Caterpillar bull dozers and a combat engineer vehicle (an M48 tank with a shortened main gun and several attachments to aid in breaching obstacles). The company also had a section of twenty Soldiers who performed demolitions tasks, ie, blow things up like obstacles on a roadway. The company's primary tasks were to build roads, bridges and field fortifications. The company was armed with rifles, grenade launchers, M-60 machine guns and 81mm mortars. The company also had mine detectors for clearing roads of mines emplaced by the VC. In a letter home in late July 1971, Skip wrote, "Well as usual we continue to build the road. This "military road" is getting to me – first of all, this piece of junk ain't no military road. It's going the wrong way and I don't like it one bit. I'm a soldier and I can combat engineer the heck out of anything but they still have to convince me that this road is necessary for more than the fisherman getting their fish to Quang Nghi sooner. We should be heading for the Laos border not the Vietnam coast." Only five months into his tour, Skip was awarded a second Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious achievement during the period 16 April 1971 – 25 September 1971. This award recognized his leadership and mission accomplishment of C Company in the completion of a major construction project in the Batangan Peninsula (at one time a Viet Cong stronghold on the coast, approx. 130 km south of Da Nang), consisting of constructing a one kilometer causeway thought a low lying area, four multiple span timber pile bridges, numerous culverts and constructing approximately 9 kilometers of road.

Pg. 44, US Army Engineers 1965-1970, Laterite, solid unique to tropical regions, occurred extensively in Vietnam, both as a hard massive crust and in the alluvial or river-deposited silt. Both types, red to brown in color, were rich in the secondary oxides of iron and aluminum. Engineer units came to use laterite extensively as a subgrade material for constructing roads and airfields.

During this second tour in Vietnam, Skip did get to see his brother Dick, an Infantry officer, who had arrived in Vietnam in late August 1970 and was serving in an Infantry Battalion. Skip and Dick first met at Bien Hoa while Dick was awaiting transportation up country. They met again on 4 June 1971, when Skip attended the ceremony of Dick's promotion to Captain, at Fire Base 411, south of Duc Pho.

On or about 20 September 1971, Skip was selected by the 45th Engineer Group commander, COL Bachus to command Company A, 39th Engineer Battalion, the battalion's residual (lone) company remaining as a result of the United States carrying out troop withdrawals from Vietnam. As commander of a separate company, he reported directly to the Group Commander for his guidance, task assignment and priorities.

At the end of September, while in transition from command of Company C, 39th Engineer Battalion to Company A, Skip was awarded his second Bronze Star Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster). The citation reads:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING: THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AUTHORIZED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, 24 AUGUST 1962 HAS AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER
TO
CAPTAIN CHARLES F. SIMMONS
COMPANY C, 39TH ENGINEER BATTALION
FOR exceptionally meritorious achievement in support of military operations against communist aggression in the Republic of Vietnam. During the period of 16 April 1971 to 25 September 1971, Captain Simmons astutely surmounted extremely adverse conditions to obtain consistently superior results. Through diligence and determination, he invariably accomplished every task with dispatch and efficiency. His unrelenting loyalty, initiative and perseverance brought him wide acclaim and inspired others to strive for maximum achievement. Selflessly working long and arduous hours, he has contributed significantly to the success of the allied effort. Captain Simmons' commendable performance was in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects distinct credit upon himself, the U.S. Army Engineer Command, Vietnam and the United States Army.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON
The citation is signed by the Adjutant General of the Army and the Secretary of the Army.

In a letter home in mid-October, he stated, "Because of the drawdown in Vietnam they have almost run out of building materials so the rebuilding of our company area is slow because we have to scrounge ever piece of lumber. This war is really getting poor, but we still have plenty of ammo and food."

Just five weeks after taking command, Skip and A Company, 39th Engineer Battalion had the opportunity to excel as a result of Typhoon Hester and the damage it did to U.S. facilities in Military Region One.
Pgs. 545-546, Engineers at War. "Serious setbacks in work, however, occurred in late 1971 as a result of Typhoon Hester. The storm and its fourteen inches of rain in a twenty-four-hour period on 24 October damaged buildings, knocked our several bridges, and washed out parts of Highway 1."
Additionally, winds in excess of 155 km/h (100 mph) caused extensive damage to several United States Army bases. The hardest hit base was in Chu Lai where three Americans were killed. At least 75 percent of the structures in the base sustained damage and 123 aircraft were damaged or destroyed.

For A Company's effort supporting recovery, the Commanding Generals of XXIV Corps (LTG W.G. Dolvin) and 196th Infantry Brigade (BG J.C. McDonough) recognized A Company in writing. In a letter dated 8 November 1971 to the Commander, 45th Engineer Group, the Commander, 196th Infantry Brigade's comments included, "My first appraisal of the devastation caused by Hester was that the restoration of the 196th Infantry Brigade base are to its original condition was impossible. With the assistance of your engineers, repairs were started immediately. While many repairs have not yet been made, the assistance provided by Co A, 39th Engineer Battalion, and Co C, 84th Engineer Battalion, has made the impossible now seem possible. I add my personal appreciation and admiration for an engineering job well done in a highly professional manner."

By early November, U.S. troop totals dropped to 191,000, the lowest level since December 1965 (compared to the peak of 549,500 in 1969 during Skip's first tour in Vietnam). In early November, President Nixon announced that American troops had reverted to a defensive role in Vietnam.

Pg. 68, US Army Engineers 1965-1970, "Engineers in Vietnam were forced to cope with a number of distinct environmental features. The high water table that resulted from heavy rainfall and the low terrain in much of Vietnam created problems in drainage and earthmoving. Weather and the Viet Cong were constant foes in the battle to open and maintain lines of communication (roads/bridges) throughout the country. Roads were washed away as heavy rains drenched the countryside in the monsoon season."

In mid-November 1971, in a letter home, Skip wrote, "The Company is great. It's like a bit of the old Army. This is a good bunch of combat engineers [A/39th Engr Bn], they work hard and fast and pull guard all night and argue over who is going to get to go to the field every time we have a job in the boonies. I'm really enjoying this crew. I just have dirty, beer drinking, gross talking, boony loving combat engineer soldiers. I also have the most professional NCO's I've seen in my Army career (naturally they are; I picked'em) and the craziest bunch of LT's in VN." "As far as our jobs… nothing, I can't figure why they [Headquarters, US Army - Vietnam] are keeping us [A/39th Engr Bn] except that we are very good. We are the last non-divisional combat engineers in VN. This company is the best I've ever seen – it should be, I worked hard getting people and equipment all in one place. We call the Equipment and Maintenance Platoon the "zoo" because that is the hardest working, noisiest, goofiest bunch of guys anybody has ever seen. Great people. My mess sergeant speaks fluent French and runs the mess hall like a large restaurant. These boony rats of mine are happy to be out of the field but every time we get a job, even for one day in the field they all come by and volunteer to go. Some of them get mad because I gave the job to someone else!"

The following description of an Engineer Company construction of an NDP (night defensive position) is extracted from: Pgs. 86-89, Road Gang – A Memoir of Engineer Service in Vietnam, by H.V Traywick, 2014. The NDP was a temporary defensible position (fort) which an engineer company or platoon would construct in the close vicinity of its work project to move into at night to defend itself from possible enemy attack.
"When working a multi-day or multi-week project of some distance from the battalion base camp, loading the large very heavy engineer tractors on to low-boy transporters and returning to the battalion secure base camp before dark (enemy likelihood of attack or ambush of the returning vehicles greatly increased after dark) required considerable time. It was therefore necessary to construct a nearby secure base of operations [fort] to which the platoons could return at the end of the day's work and defend itself were it to come under attack by Viet Cong or North Vietnam Army forces. After the company commander selected the location and size of the perimeter (maybe couple of hundred yards in diameter), the plows cleared the foliage. Dirt was brought in to build a circular berm, which would mark the perimeter of the base. The berm would be about 15 feet wide and about 6 feet high. Bulldozers cut a single entry into the perimeter to serve as the gate entryway. After the ramparts (the berm) were completed, the soldiers strung concertina wire (coiled barbwire with 4' diameter) in several rows around the exterior of the berm to preclude enemy infiltration, and pinned in place with engineer stakes. Bunkers were built on top of the berm protected with sandbags and overhead cover, spaced around the perimeter of the berm. These bunkers were manned at night for security. The next task for the preparation of the NDP was to construct four-man sleeping bunkers as follows: First a dozer was used to scoop out a trench the width of the blade, the depth of a 55 gallon drum standing on end, and the length of two cots placed head-to-toe. Then the sides and ends of the trench were stabilized using sheets of airfield landing mat held in place with engineer stakes driven into the ground. Empty asphalt drums were then stood in a solid row down the center of the trench. The tops had been removed at the time the asphalt was removed for road construction. A front-loader was employed to fill the drums with dirt after they were put in place. This divided the 4-man bunker down the centerline and left enough space on either side of the row of drums for two cots to be placed end-to-end. Corrugated culvert halves were used to construct the overhead cover, by placing them in a row to make an arched roof over each side of the bunker. One end of the culvert halves rested on the asphalt drums running down the centerline of the bunker, and the other end rested on the ground at the side of the bunker. At each end of the archway of culvert halves a sandbag revetment was built across the top, while landing mat set on edge was staked down the sides to contain the dirt. Then to complete the cover and make it bomb-proof, a bucket loader piled dirt on top of the entire 4-man bunker. The bunkers were positioned in rows around the inside perimeter of the NDP. This left an open area in the center of the fort for the equipment."

During his R&R leave following eight month of duty in Vietnam, Skip flew to the States and met his wife and infant son for Christmas at his parents' home in Chico, California. His brother having been assigned to Fort Benning, GA after completing his tour in Vietnam, also traveled home for this special Christmas. After a nearly 2 week stay in Chico, Skip flew back to Vietnam to complete the remaining 4 months of his Vietnam tour.

Pg. 546, Engineers at War. By mid-January 1972, Company A, 39th Engineer Battalion [commanded by CPT Skip Simmons] and Company C, 84th Engineer Battalion were the only non-divisional engineer units left in I Corps area [Military Region 1].

The U.S. continued to reduce its ground presence in South Vietnam during late 1971 and early 1972, but American air attacks increased while both sides exchanged peace proposals. In early January 1972 President Nixon confirmed that U.S. troop withdrawals would continue but promised that a force of 25,000-30,000 would remain in Vietnam until all American prisoners of war were released. U.S. troop strength in Vietnam dropped to 136,500 by 31 January 1972, to 119,600 by 29 February, and then to 95,500 by the end of March. (Ref: Abandoning Vietnam – How America Left and South Vietnam Lost Its War, J.H. Willbanks, 2004)

This was less than 20% of the American strength in Vietnam Skip had seen on his first tour, '68-'69.

In mid-February 1972, Skip wrote in a letter, "We've really been busy the last couple of weeks getting everybody else ready for Tet [Tet is Vietnamese New Year and is the most important festival and public holiday in Vietnam. 4 years earlier, on 30 January 1968, the NVA & Viet Cong launched one of the largest campaigns of the Vietnam War]. I've got people scattered all over the north end of South VN. In some places I've only got two people. We're putting in fence and fixing defensive positions. Saw a North Vietnamese Army sapper demonstration about a week ago. The Army hired an ex-NVA lieutenant sapper and believe me that guy was good. He came through the defensive wire in about three minutes and you couldn't even see the grass move."

It was in February 1972 that Skip received a letter from the Department of the Army, dated 31 January 1972, granting Skip's request for "2-Year College Equivalency" based on his having completed two semesters at Chico State College, the Basic and Advanced Engineer Officer Courses, his practical experience as an Army Engineer officer, and course work he had completed nights.

During March and into April, CPT Simmons' priorities were to stand down his company, to account for and then turn in all property and to out-process all the Soldiers to return to the States, or a few to move to one of the few remaining engineer elements in Vietnam. His last letter from Vietnam was dated 1 April 1972.

At the end of this tour in Vietnam, Skip was awarded a third Bronze Star Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam Theater, during the period ending 15 April 1972.

On 30 March 1972 just a few weeks before Skip departed Vietnam, the North Vietnamese Army supported by Viet Cong units launched its greatest offensive of the entire war, referred to as the Easter Offensive. The enemy deployed the greatest array of troops and modern weapons to date in a major effort to end the war with conventional forces and seized considerable territory in an effort to exercise control of key provinces throughout Vietnam prior to the agreed to cease fire. The initial NVA attacks were in Military Region 1 (of the four regions 1-4, north to south in Vietnam) when two NVA divisions supported by two hundred tanks and several artillery regiments attacked south across the DMZ with the objective to seize the provincial capital of Quang Tri (approx. 140 km/85 mi north of Da Nang), with the ultimate objective for this northern most attack being to expel all South Vietnamese forces from the two northernmost provinces, Quang Tri and Thua Thien, ie, generally the area of South Vietnam north of Da Nang to the DMZ. (Ref: Abandoning …, Willbanks)

His officer evaluation reports for the time Skip was on his second tour in Vietnam included: "Captain Simmons is decidedly the most outstanding Engineer Company Commander that I have ever known." "His can do spirit is reflected throughout his entire company." "His ability to inspire and lead is without parallel." "Captain Simmons has been singled out as possibly the finest company commander of any combat engineer company in the country." "He has the reputation of doing all things well. His greatest attribute, however, is his ability to look after the troops and their welfare." "I truly believe that he is an officer of the greatest potential who should be singled out for promotion and advanced schooling ahead of his contemporaries. He should be promoted to major now."

In mid-April 1972, at the time of his departure from Vietnam, Skip was awarded his third Bronze Star Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster) of his brief four and a half years of service; two in Vietnam. The citation reads:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING: THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AUTHORIZED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, 24 AUGUST 1962 HAS AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH SECOND BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER
TO
CAPTAIN CHARLES F. SIMMONS
COMPANY A, 39TH ENGINEER BATTALION
FOR outstandingly meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. During the period of 15 April 1971 to 15 April 1972, he consistently manifested exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results. His rapid assessment and solution of numerous problems inherent in a combat environment 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 judgement 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.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON
The citation is signed by the Adjutant General of the Army and the Secretary of the Army.

Note: Just nine months after Skip left Vietnam, on 28 January 1973, the cease fire between the USA & RVN forces and North Vietnam & Viet Cong forces went into effect in Vietnam, as agreed to in the Paris Peace Accords. All offensive military operations by US Forces in the Republic of Vietnam stopped at 0800 on 28 January. The war was over for the United States. Over the next 60 days, all US forces departed South Vietnam as agreed. The last troops left troops left Saigon on 29 March 1973, with the exception of the approximately 120 Marines who were the guard force at the US embassy in Saigon (Ref: Abandoning…, Willbanks).

30 June 1972, Skip, having completed his second year-long tour in Vietnam reported to the 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was initially assigned the duty position of Battalion Adjutant/S-1. Such duty must have been difficult to adapt to having spent the previous 12 months commanding troops in combat in Vietnam's Military Region One, as US troop strength and capabilities diminished and the complete departure date of all US forces from Vietnam neared. In November 1972, based on his maturity, demonstrated leadership ability and technical expertise, Skip was given command of Company C, 5th Engineer Battalion. The Simmons family lived at 56 Humphreys St on Fort Leonard. Skip and Kay were active in Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs. His Officer Efficiency reports for the period Nov '72 to Nov '73, included the following comments: "He [Company C] passed the annual general inspection in December 1972 with no deficiencies – the only company of seven to do so." "He was well organized, meticulous and timely in all his actions." "He completed 30 semester hours by GED, 3 semester hours of history during off-duty time and the first year of resident/nonresident Army Command and General Staff College course during this period." "CPT Simmons is a dynamic, articulate and imaginative officer who combines outstanding troop leading ability with a superb administrative capability."

Skip's medals. In the official photo for his Army records, taken at Fort Leonard Wood in August 1972, Skip is wearing his Class-A Army uniform "greens". His medals, worn as ribbons, in order of precedence (top to bottom, left to right), as defined by the U.S. Army are above the flap of the left breast pocket. Awarded to CPT Simmons in his brief Army career (and as listed in the Awards & Decorations Section of his Officer Qualification Record, DA Form 66):

- Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters (an OLC is pinned on the ribbon to reflect each additional award of a given medal; Skip has 2 OLCs; hence he has been awarded a total of three Bronze Star medals)
[Bronze Star Medal (BSM) - awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.]
- Army Commendation Medal
[ACM - awarded to anyone who performs qualifying service in the United States Army. This may include meritorious achievement, service or performance of duty, an act of courage or heroism.]
- National Defense Service Medal
[NDSM – awarded U.S. military members who carried out honorable service during designated conflicts, including for the Vietnam War, service between January 1, 1961 and August 14, 1974]
- Vietnam Service Medal
[VSM - awarded during the Vietnam War to all US Armed Forces members. Campaign stars are worn on the ribbon to reflect the number of the seventeen designated campaigns of the Vietnam War the Soldier participated in]
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold & Bronze Stars
[RVN GC - Awarded to military personnel in recognition of deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat with the enemy. Skip received this was awarded, twice, once cited at the Corps level (gold star) and once at the Regiment/Group level (bronze star)]
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, 1st Class
[RVN CA Mdl - awarded to the South Vietnamese military and its allies' military personnel or units that performed outstanding achievements in the field of civil affairs. The medal was awarded in two classes, with the first class intended for commissioned officers and the second class for enlisted personnel]
- Republic of Vietnam Technical Service Medal, 1st Class
[RVN TechSvcMdl - Awarded to those who had performed duties "as technicians or of a technical nature" and had demonstrated "outstanding professional capacity, initiative, and devotion to duty"]
- Vietnam Campaign Medal with '60 Device
[RVN CM - the South Vietnamese government awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960– ) to members of the South Vietnamese military for wartime service and on March 24, 1966, to members of the U.S. military for support of operations in Vietnam ]

- 4ea Overseas Bars, worn on right sleeve near the wrist; each bar indicates having served 6-month period in a theater of war, e.g., Vietnam.

- Expert Qualification with the M-16 Rifle. This is the device which is affixed to the center of the left breast pocket flap of his Class- A uniform jacket. Annually Soldiers must fire their weapon for record at a range. Depending on the score achieved, the Soldier is awarded the rating of Marksman, Sharpshooter or Expert. As his military record reflects, he qualified Expert with the M-14 and M-16 each time he fired the weapons for record.

At age 28, a husband for 5 ½ years, the father of a 3 year old son and soon to be born little girl, having survived 24 months in Vietnam, just 6 years & 3 months into what was becoming a very promising career as one of the Army's best officers, Skip died 14 December 1973 from burns received when his home caught fire and burned. By the grace of God, his wife and son escaped the house and were not hurt.

Skip and Kay's second child, a daughter, named for her two grandmothers', Virginia Kathleen Simmons was born less than two

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