Arlington, TX – The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) announced that the family of Vietnam War hero and Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Clifford Chester Sims graciously gifted his original Medal of Honor to the Museum. The Medal will be displayed in the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas when it opens its doors in early 2025.
Chris Cassidy, NMOHMF President and CEO, and Greg Waters, Director of Curatorial Affairs,accepted the gift from Sims’ daughter Gina Townsend during an event on Veterans Day, adding to the Museum’s growing collection.Photos of the event are available here.
“Our team at the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is humbled to receive this invaluable artifact from Clifford Chester Sims’ family. We are incredibly grateful to house his Medal and to be entrusted to preserve and share his legacy for future generations to learn from,” said Chris Cassidy, NMOHMF President and CEO.
Gina Townsend, Sims’ daughter, said: “Clifford Sims personified the commandment that states: ‘There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ My mother, Mary Grace Sims Parker, felt compelled to donate his medal to the National Medal of Honor Museum to ensure that his life and supreme sacrifice to this country be remembered forever. May we, as citizens of a grateful nation, never forget that ‘All Gave Some, but Some Gave All.’”
S/Sgt. Sims earned his medal posthumously for his courageous acts while fighting with the 101st Airborne Division near the city of Huế on Feb. 21, 1968. While leading his squadron, S/Sgt. Sims unhesitatingly hurled himself on an explosive booby trap, making the ultimate sacrifice to protect his fellow soldiers.
His full Medal of Honor citation can be found here.
This marks the 30th donation of a Medal of Honor by generous family members committed to honoring the legacies of their loved ones who earned the Medal.
