Amor L. Sims

Amor LeRoy Sims (May 29, 1896 – November 30, 1978) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general, who is most noted as commanding officer of 7th Marine Regiment during World War II. He also served as chief of the Norfolk Police Department from 1949 to 1952.

Early years

Sims was born on May 29, 1896, in Groveport, Ohio, as the son of carpenter Harry Harrison Sims (1871–1948) and his wife Rose Catherine Saylor Sims (1870–1938). Following high school, Amor entered Ohio State University, but left after two years due to the United States' entry into World War I in April 1917. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as private and was then assigned to the newly activated 17th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment at Philadelphia Navy Yard and embarked for France. During his service with the 17th Company, Sims served with many distinguished officers, who reached general officer rank in their later careers, including Robert Blake, LeRoy P. Hunt, Leonard E. Rea or Roswell Winans.

He later took part in the Battle of Soissons in July 1918, but was badly wounded by enemy fire and spent two months in field hospital. For his experiences and skills, Sims received a battlefield promotion and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve. He later joined 66th Company as platoon leader and took part in the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge in October 1918 and Meuse-Argonne Offensive in November of that year. Sims was also decorated with the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 with Palm and Fourragère by the Government of France.

Sims was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1941 and continued with the training of his battalion at Parris Island, South Carolina until October of that year, when he was reappointed as regimental executive officer. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the regiment went on immediate alert for a possible overseas deployment, which took place in April–May 1942.

The 7th Marine Regiment was subsequently pulled back to the Lunga Point defensive area, where they carried out the routine patrols for the next several weeks to eliminate those Japanese soldiers who still remained behind in the areas seized by the Americans. During the whole Guadalcanal Campaign, "The Iron Duke" Sims, as his men called him, and his regiment annihilated over 6,000 Japanese in 42 separate engagements. Sims later recalled: "I would stack this regiment against any other group of fighting men in the world, for shooting, fighting, accuracy of fire, knowledge of weapons, and the will to fight. Give me a week and I would stack them against any outfit on the parade ground."

New Britain Sims (second from right) looks on General Douglas MacArthur studying a map of Cape Gloucester. Sims held the command of the regiment until the end of June 1943 and then succeeded Colonel Gerald C. Thomas as Chief of staff of 1st Marine Division. While in this capacity, he served under Major General William H. Rupertus and participated in the planning of Cape Gloucester Operation.

The Operation was launched on December 26, 1943, and lasted until January 16, 1944, and during the course of the battle the division had 310 killed and 1,083 wounded. Sims served in that capacity until the beginning of February 1944, when he was succeeded by Colonel Oliver P. Smith. For his service at New Britain, Sims was decorated with second Legion of Merit.

He was subsequently ordered back to the United States and ordered to the Army and Navy Staff College in Washington, D.C., for instruction. Sims graduated in March 1945 and sailed back to the Pacific area for duty as commanding officer of the 1st Field Service Group, Service Command, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific under Major General Earl C. Long. In this capacity, Sims was co-responsible for the supply, salvage, evacuation, construction, personnel management, quartering and sanitation needs of all FMFPac units and others marine units in its area.

Postwar career

Following the War, Sims travelled to both China and Japan setting up supply procedures for the 6th and 2nd Marine Divisions. He remained in that capacity until August 1946, when he was appointed chief of staff, Service Command. He served in this capacity on Hawaii until August 1948, when he was ordered back to the United States.

Sims he was subsequently appointed commanding officer, Marine Barracks at Naval Station Norfolk with additional duty as District Marine Officer, 5th Naval District and held this commands until his retirement on June 30, 1949, after 32 years of active service. He was then advanced to the rank of brigadier general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.

Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, Sims settled in Norfolk, Virginia, but his retirement did not last long. He was offered appointment of the chief of the Norfolk Police Department, which he accepted. Norfolk city manager C.A. Harrell hired him, because he felt that discipline among police officers was very poor and a retired Marine Corps general could put it right. Norfolk Police Department also had a troubles with many officers, who were charged with conspiracy in gambling and prostitution operations.

Sims was succeeded as chief of police by Norfolk Police Department veteran and Police Medal of Honour recipient Edgar Leroy Cason in 1952 and lived in Norfolk until his death on November 30, 1978. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, together with his wife Martha Farmer Sims (1892–1979). The couple had together one son, John Boland Sims (1923–2015), who also served with the Marine Corps and retired as colonel.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Amor LeRoy Sims: