Clifford C. Sims Medal of Honor Hero on Hill 178, Korean War

Dec 20 , 2025

Clifford C. Sims Medal of Honor Hero on Hill 178, Korean War

He bled on a frozen ridge under the Korean winter sky, every breath a battle for life. Wounded more times than fingers counted, Clifford C. Sims stood and charged—not for glory, but because he had no choice. His unit depended on it. The line held because one man refused to fall broken.

A Georgia Raised Warrior with a Steady Heart

Clifford Carl Sims was born October 3, 1925, in Crisp County, Georgia. Down-to-earth, raised in simplicity and toil, the South shaped him as much as the dusty farms. He believed in hard work, honor, and the God who watched over him from above.

Sims enlisted in the Army late in World War II but saw his fiercest fight in Korea. The crucible of war—where character meets chaos—revealed his unshakable code. Faith was his armor as much as his rifle.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” _– Joshua 1:9_

The Hill 178 Inferno

November 28, 1951. Near Kumsong, Korea—cold as hell, deadly as ever.

Sims served with Company A, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. His unit was pinned down by aggressive Chinese forces clawing to reclaim lost ground. Mortar shells rained. Machine-gun fire whipped the night air.

Sims was wounded early by shrapnel in both legs. Most would have sought cover, but not him.

He stood, rallied his men, and led the counterattack—wounded, bleeding, unrelenting.

He charged forward, firing his rifle and tossing grenades. When his rifle jammed, he grabbed a submachine gun. When that jammed, he used his pistol. Each step forward carved a path through the enemy’s iron grip.

More wounds came—bullet holes through shoulder and arm.

Pain vanished beneath purpose.

His leadership broke the enemy lines, forced them to retreat, and saved his comrades from being overrun. When aid finally reached him, Sims resisted evacuation, insisting the battle was not yet won.

Medal of Honor: Valor Etched in Blood

For his extraordinary heroism that night, Sims was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 13, 1952. His citation reads:

“Although wounded, he continued to lead his platoon against superior enemy forces, exposing himself repeatedly to enemy fire…. His indomitable courage and outstanding leadership were largely responsible for the success of the assault and the saving of many lives.”

Not many get to carry a medal that heavy, one of his fellow soldiers once remarked, “because it’s earned through hellfire and sacrifice, not chance.”

Sims embodied the warrior’s spirit—gritty, selfless, and unbreakable.

The Lasting Echo of Sacrifice

Clifford C. Sims didn’t just fight a battle on frozen soil. He fought the darkness inside—the terror, the pain, the doubt. And he won. His story is stitched with wounds and glory, faith and fear.

His actions remind every veteran and civilian alike: true courage is standing when there’s nothing left but grit.

Sacrifice is never silent. The cost is always high, but the legacy endures through those who answer the call.

His life points beyond the battlefield—toward redemption, purpose, and a call to serve one another.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” _– John 15:13_

Clifford C. Sims is not just a name etched on a medal; he is a beacon. A testament that even when shattered, a man can rise again to lead, to protect, and to inspire. War takes much, but it cannot take the soul that refuses to yield.

This is the cost. This is the honor. This is legacy.

Sources

1. Army Center of Military History, “Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War” 2. U.S. Department of Defense, “Valor Awards for Clifford C. Sims” 3. 7th Infantry Division Historical Archives, Korea Campaign Reports 4. Richard M. Steadman, The Seventh Infantry Division in Korea (University Press)