Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Craton Screven
Simpson
1922-10-21

–

2001-01-15

Born:

Columbia

, 

South Carolina

Home:

Columbia

, 

South Carolina

Buried: 

Charleston

, 

South Carolina

Cemetery:

Magnolia Cemetery

William Simpson graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1946. He retired in 1976 as a U.S. Army Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1970 – 1973
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) William Craton Screven Simpson, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, 1st Reserve Officer Training Corps Region, from 1973 to 1976. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Simpson culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    2d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1966 – 1967
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Craton Screven Simpson, United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer of an Infantry Battalion of the 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. Colonel Simpson’s outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    2d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1966 – 1967
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Craton Screven Simpson, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of an Infantry Battalion of the 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Simpson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    2d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September – November 1966
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Craton Screven Simpson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Simpson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy from September to November 1966. While serving as Executive Officer of the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Lieutenant Colonel Simpson was helilifted to assume command of the 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment after the battalion had suffered heavy casualties and its commander had been wounded during Operation ATTLEBORO. He led his battalion throughout that operation, and subsequently through air assaults in Operations CEDAR FALLS and JUNCTION CITY. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Simpson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1970 – 1973
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) William Craton Screven Simpson, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States on the Staff and Faculty of the Army War College from 1970 to 1973. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Simpson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1969
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) William Craton Screven Simpson, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Department of the Army, from 1967 to 1969. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Simpson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    17th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    7th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 9, 1951
    Headquarters, X Corps, General Orders No. 76 (1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) William Craton Screven Simpson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company I, 3d Battalion 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea, on 9 March 1951. During the attack on Hill 1040, the company commanded by Captain Simpson met heavy mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire, and was pinned down unable to advance farther. Captain Simpson, disregarding his own personal safety, walked back and forth across the ridge encouraging and deploying his men, while the enemy raked the ground he walked on. This fine show of bravery and leadership rallied his men so that they exerted themselves into a final push which enabled them to capture their objective. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Simpson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    2d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1966 – 1967
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Craton Screven Simpson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Simpson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in 1966 and 1967. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Simpson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.