[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JAMES P. SIMONS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to U.S. 
Army veteran and former CPT James P. Simons, one of our Nation's and 
the Commonwealth of Kentucky's brave heroes from the Vietnam war.
  From June 1966 to June 1967, Mr. Simons served as a lieutenant in 
Troop A, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, Airmobile, in 
South Vietnam. During the first 9\1/2\ months of his deployment, then-
Lieutenant Simons flew unarmed OH-13 helicopters as a scout pilot, 
flying deep into enemy territory, above the jungle, to search for 
insurgents below. Lieutenant Simons would radio back enemy locations to 
his post, and American forces would move in.
  Lieutenant Simons logged an incredible 1,430 flight hours during the 
first 9\1/2\ months of his deployment. He often flew four and five 
missions per day, landing every few hours to refuel and returning to 
the air a short time later. Ten- and 12-hour days spent flying in enemy 
territory were not uncommon. During a period in which scout pilots were 
scarce, Lieutenant Simons remarkably flew missions on 27 consecutive 
days.
  Captain Simons has received numerous medals for his heroism and 
service during the Vietnam war. They include: the Vietnam Campaign 
Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, 
and two Air Medals--a rarity--which were needed to appropriately 
represent the 625 combat missions Lieutenant Simons flew in Vietnam. In 
addition to these medals, former Captain Simons has received three 
Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the 
Distinguished Service Cross.
  Mr. Simons received Purple Hearts for each of the combat wounds he 
sustained; he was injured twice when the helicopters he was piloting 
were shot down by enemy fire. The third injury occurred when the enemy 
launched a nighttime mortar attack and a mortar exploded in Lieutenant 
Simons' tent. Following the attack, Lieutenant Simons was transported 
to a field hospital where he had 26 pieces of shrapnel removed. After 
sustaining his third combat injury, Lieutenant Simons was no longer 
permitted to fly due to the number of times he had been wounded. He 
spent the remaining 10 weeks of his tour in Vietnam serving our 
military and our country in other capacities.
  Mr. Simons received the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross due to 
his valiant action on November 24, 1966, during a search-and-destroy 
mission near Bong Son, Vietnam. Lieutenant Simons was flying ahead of 
U.S. ground forces to locate areas concentrated with enemies when he 
took on machine gun fire. In the face of this attack, Lieutenant Simons 
conducted reconnaissance of the area to assist with the ground mission. 
As he took on heavy enemy fire his helicopter eventually was shot down. 
Lieutenant Simons fortunately was not wounded, and he bravely assisted 
an injured crewmember in seeking cover before the two were evacuated.
  Less than 1 month later, on December 17, 1966, Lieutenant Simons 
carried out acts of bravery for which he ultimately was awarded the 
Distinguished Service Cross, the military's second-highest decoration 
for a member of the U.S. Army. He received this award for his 
``extraordinary heroism'' during yet another ground search-and-destroy 
mission near Bong Son, Vietnam.
  Lieutenant Simons was leading a helicopter scout group screening 
ahead for U.S. forces on the ground. During heavy exchanges of ground 
fire, Lieutenant Simons flew low and in harm's way to mark enemy 
positions with smoke grenades. As the battle continued, Lieutenant 
Simons saw that U.S. troops below him had become stranded. In response, 
he dropped grenades on enemy bunkers and continued to fly low to 
attract enemy fire so his fellow American servicemembers could be 
rescued. Lieutenant Simons took a number of actions at tremendous 
personal risk, and his heroism and selflessness ultimately saved the 
lives of three of his fellow comrades.
  Former Captain Simons' courageous military service on behalf of the 
United States during the Vietnam war deserves the recognition of this 
body. Thus, I ask that my Senate colleagues join me in honoring Mr. 
James P. Simons today.

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