Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    9th Bombardment Division (M)

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 27, 1944

    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 48 (August 3, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Tommie Joe Sims (ASN: 0-675455), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of an A-20 Medium Bomber in the 9th Bombardment Division (M), NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 27 May 1944, against enemy targets in the European Theater of Operations. In a bombing mission over enemy territory, as Second Lieutenant Sims turned his Havoc into the run, flak struck to damage ship and pilot. The plane’s right engine was knocked out. The lieutenant’s left arm was broken and he was wounded in both thighs. Bleeding, in pain, Lieutenant Simms kept his plane in formation and dropped his bombs on the target. The craft lost speed and altitude, dropped behind the formation. Afraid of fainting, Lieutenant Simms ordered his crew to bail out. Alone, barely conscious, one arm useless, and the target of continuous flak, he kept his course to England. Too exhausted even to attempt lowering his wheels, and with a fuzzed bomb in the bomb bay, he guided his plane safely to earth. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Sims on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.