The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Gelzer Loyall Sims (NSN: 0-59341), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. MAURY (DD-401) on 30 November and 1 December 1942, as third ship in column of the van destroyers engaged Japanese surface forces with gunfire, expending eighty rounds, while subjected to torpedo and gun fire from the enemy. Commander Sims subsequently provided escort protection to the U.S.S. PENSACOLA, then joined the U.S.S. NEW ORLEANS and, under extremely difficult circumstances, assisted that ship safely into Tulagi Harbor, moored alongside the NEW ORLEANS and anchored for her. Commander Sims was an inspiration to his officers and men, and his conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Gelzer Loyall Sims (NSN: 0-59341), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. MAURY (DD-401) during the engagement with Japanese naval forces off Kolomgangara Island, British Solomon Islands in the early morning of 13 July 1943. During the opening phase of this night action Commander Sims, handling his ship with superb skill and daring, directed the accurate and highly sustained fire of his guns upon a force of six enemy vessels and fired torpedoes into the enemy formation thereby contributing materially to the complete destruction of at least four and probably all of the Japanese ships. Following the engagement, his vessel served as protection for two of our destroyers during a towing operation which was subjected to resolute enemy air attacks. During this entire action, fought gallantly with every weapon at his command, Commander Sims was an inspiration to his officers and men, and his conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.