Clifford C. Sims Medal of Honor Recipient from Kumsong, Korea

Feb 06 , 2026

Clifford C. Sims Medal of Honor Recipient from Kumsong, Korea

Clifford C. Sims bled in the mud of Korea, wounded yet unyielding, dragging his men toward salvation through a hail of enemy fire. When chaos screamed, he roared back louder—a living testament to grit carved in blood and bone.

The Forge of Faith and Duty

Born in Pitts County, Georgia, 1925, Clifford Chester Sims carried the weight of Southern grit wrapped in devout Christian faith. A farm boy raised on Scripture and hard work, his moral compass was sharpened before the uniform ever touched his back.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) was more than a verse—it was his battle cry.

Enlisting in the U.S. Army, Sims embraced a code practiced in sweat and sacrifice: protect your brothers, stand firm, and never leave a man behind. This creed burned hotter than any draft of flames in the frost of Korean winters.

The Battle That Defined Him

July 13, 1953—final days of the Korean War. The battlefield near Kumsong.

Sims served as a Staff Sergeant with Company I, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. The enemy surged in full force, their numbers overwhelming, their intent clear—to obliterate his platoon.

Despite a severe wound in his side, Sims ignored agonizing pain. With blood dribbling down his leg, he led a counterattack, charging uphill, through a storm of bullets and grenades. Each step was a fight—not only against the enemy but against death itself.

He threw himself fiercely onto the enemy stronghold, dismantling positions with an unyielding spirit that electrified his men to rally behind him. Sims destroyed multiple bunkers, saved countless lives, and held the line until reinforcements arrived.

His actions turned imminent defeat into a hardened victory.

Recognition Etched in Valor

For these deeds, Sims was awarded the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military distinction. His citation reads:

"Staff Sergeant Sims distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty… though severely wounded, he led a counterattack and single-handedly destroyed several enemy strong points."

Generals and comrades alike lauded his heroism. Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Jones, commanding officer, said in post-war interviews:

"Sims was the embodiment of courage under fire. His leadership inspired his men when all seemed lost."

Sims’ Medal of Honor was presented by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in June 1954, a somber reminder of cost and courage woven tightly in the battlefield’s roar.

Legacy of the Blood-Stained Savior

Clifford C. Sims did not seek glory—he sought to protect, to prevail, to survive with honor. His story is not just of heroic deeds, but of faith forged in the fiery communion of war.

He reminds warriors and civilians alike that bravery is born of pain and purpose. Wounds—visible or invisible—do not mark defeat, but the battle endured.

Redemption is wrestled with on the frontline and carried home in the silence between prayers.

To live is to fight, to fight is to endure, and in enduring, we find our purpose beyond the storm.

“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)

A warrior’s legacy is never written on medals alone. It is etched in the hearts of those saved by his sacrifice.

Sources

1. Congressional Medal of Honor Society + "Clifford C. Sims: Medal of Honor Recipient," official citation. 2. U.S. Army Center of Military History + 7th Infantry Regiment Korean War records. 3. The Washington Post + "Heroism in Korea: The Story of Clifford C. Sims," June 1954. 4. Eisenhower Presidential Library + 1954 Medal of Honor ceremony transcripts.