Burnell Simmons
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 15 October 1967, Staff Sergeant Burnell Simmons was serving with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SSG Simmons was serving as chief of a howitzer section supporting ground operations near Tam Ky. Late at night, a large Viet Cong force attacked his camp with mortars, rockets, and small arms. The speed and intensity of the enemy assault overran the outposts, but SSG Simmons ran to the battery under heaviest attack and rallied his men to fight furiously against the onslaught. He was seriously wounded by exploding grenades when the insurgents reached the parapets of his gun emplacement, but he refused aid and prepared the gun for direct fire against the onrushing enemy. He stood up amidst the barrage to locate the hostile troop concentrations and fire rounds that momentarily stunned the insurgents and drove them back. Despite the continued fire, SSG Simmons ran into the open to treat the wounded men and carry them to safety. He moved through the barrage time after time to direct fire on the insurgents and to treat the casualties. SSG Simmons was mortally wounded while leading his men and his leadership inspired his men to fight and repel the overwhelming Viet Cong attack. SSG Simmons' courageous actions and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal with 5 Bronze Knots
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star
Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Burnell Simmons (ASN: RA-14350143), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery A, 2d Battalion, 320th Artillery, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Staff Sergeant Simmons distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 October 1967 while serving as chief of a howitzer section supporting ground operations near Tam Ky. Late at night, a large Viet Cong force savagely attacked his camp with mortars, rockets, and small arms. The speed and intensity of the enemy assault overran the outposts, but Sergeant Simmons dashed to the battery under heaviest attack and rallied his men to fight furiously against the determined onslaught. He was seriously wounded by exploding grenades when the insurgents reached the parapets of his gun emplacement, but he refused aid and prepared the gun for direct fire against the onrushing enemy. Completely ignoring his own safety, he stood up amidst the fierce barrage to locate the hostile troop concentrations and fire rounds which momentarily stunned the insurgents and drove them back. Despite the continued fire, he dashed into the open to treat the wounded men and carry them to safety. He moved through the intense barrage time after time to direct fire on the determined insurgents and continue treating the casualties. He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men in the face of grave danger. His fearless leadership inspired his men to fight fiercely and repel the overwhelming Viet Cong attack. Staff Sergeant Simmons' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6014 (November 21, 1967)

Honors

The name Burnell Simmons is located on Panel 28E Line 11 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Staff Sergeant Burnell Simmons is buried at the Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville National Historic Site, Macon County, GA, in Section P, Row 223-RH.

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