Eyewitness Statement of Robert Washington et al.

by Robert Washington, Larry R. Acra, Rufus E. Lucus, Lester H. Heiserman, Salvatore Bongiorno, David Troutman, and Gary O. Parnell

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

EYEWITNESS STATEMENT

On 21 February 1968 Sgt Sims' squad was supporting elements of Co D 2/501st in an assault on enemy positions. He led his squad in providing fire power to cover the company commander as he crossed a wide expanse of open rice paddy. Sgt Sims then led his own men across under very heavy enemy fire and assaulted the enemy position in the woods to relieve pressure from the 1st Platoon which was pinned down. He was then ordered to move to the right to help the 3rd Platoon, and as the squad advanced Sgt. Sims shot and killed two enemy soldiers, one of whom attacked him. He also saved his squad by moving them quickly out of the way of a house filled with ammunition which was burning. Just as he got his men away the house blew up. Then on moving toward a bunker a booby trap was set off, and Sgt Sims yelled for everybody to get back, but before they could he threw himself on the device taking the entire blast to save his squad from complete disaster. In so doing he gave up his own life. Each and every man of the 2nd Squad owes his very life to this man, Staff Sergeant Clifford C. Sims.

The above account is agreed to and testified as true by the undersigned:

SGT ROBERT WASHINGTON Fire Team Leader	SP4 LARRY R. ACRA Fire Team Leader	PVT RUFUS E. LUCUS Rifleman
PFC LESTER H. HEISERMAN Rifleman	PFC SALVATORE BONGIORNO Rifleman	SP4 DAVID TROUTMAN Fire Team Leader
	SGT GARY O. PARNELL Weapons Squad Leader

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY