Orangeburg - Gelzer Loyall Sims, 61, retired admiral, United States Navy, died at the Orangburg Regional Hospital Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. after four days of illness. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Friday at the Dukes Harley Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Ted E. Jones officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery. Born in Orangeburg, Nov. 18, 1903, he was the son of the late James Loyall Sims and Georgia Sheridan Sims. He was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, the Elks, and served 25 years of active service in the Navy. He was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, class of 1925. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Sue Spahr Sims, Orangeburg; one daughter, Mrs. W. St. Armand [Amand], Oxford, Miss.; one son, G. L. Sims, Jr., North Kingston, R. I.; two grandchildren, Betty Ann and Carole Sims; one sister Miss Georgia Sims, Orangeburg; one brother, Dr. H. R. Sims, Rock Hill. © The News and Courier, Charleston, SC, 22 Apr 1965
For Bio:
Navy Cross Citation
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Division: U.S.S. Maury (DD-401)
GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander South Pacific: Serial 002142 (October 13, 1943)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Gelzer Loyall Sims (NSN: 0-59341), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. MAURY (DD-401), during a surface engagement with enemy Japanese forces at Vella Gulf, Solomon Islands, on the night of 6 - 7 August 1943. In a well timed and coordinated gun and torpedo attack his ship together with five other destroyers engaged, destroyed and sank an entire enemy force consisting of a cruiser and three destroyers. Commander Sims, by his skillful maneuvering, bold and aggressive attacks brought his ship and crew through this most successful engagement without loss or damage. His inspiring leadership and gallant fighting spirit reflect great credit upon Commander Sims, his command and the United States Naval Service.
Contributor:
BarryC
For Bio:
Navy Cross Citation
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Division: U.S.S. Maury (DD-401)
GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander South Pacific: Serial 002142 (October 13, 1943)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Gelzer Loyall Sims (NSN: 0-59341), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. MAURY (DD-401), during a surface engagement with enemy Japanese forces at Vella Gulf, Solomon Islands, on the night of 6 - 7 August 1943. In a well timed and coordinated gun and torpedo attack his ship together with five other destroyers engaged, destroyed and sank an entire enemy force consisting of a cruiser and three destroyers. Commander Sims, by his skillful maneuvering, bold and aggressive attacks brought his ship and crew through this most successful engagement without loss or damage. His inspiring leadership and gallant fighting spirit reflect great credit upon Commander Sims, his command and the United States Naval Service.
Contributor:
BarryC
Orangeburg - Gelzer Loyall Sims, 61, retired admiral, United States Navy, died at the Orangburg Regional Hospital Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. after four days of illness. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Friday at the Dukes Harley Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Ted E. Jones officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery. Born in Orangeburg, Nov. 18, 1903, he was the son of the late James Loyall Sims and Georgia Sheridan Sims. He was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, the Elks, and served 25 years of active service in the Navy. He was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, class of 1925. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Sue Spahr Sims, Orangeburg; one daughter, Mrs. W. St. Armand [Amand], Oxford, Miss.; one son, G. L. Sims, Jr., North Kingston, R. I.; two grandchildren, Betty Ann and Carole Sims; one sister Miss Georgia Sims, Orangeburg; one brother, Dr. H. R. Sims, Rock Hill. © The News and Courier, Charleston, SC, 22 Apr 1965
For Bio:
Navy Cross Citation
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Division: U.S.S. Maury (DD-401)
GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander South Pacific: Serial 002142 (October 13, 1943)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Gelzer Loyall Sims (NSN: 0-59341), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. MAURY (DD-401), during a surface engagement with enemy Japanese forces at Vella Gulf, Solomon Islands, on the night of 6 - 7 August 1943. In a well timed and coordinated gun and torpedo attack his ship together with five other destroyers engaged, destroyed and sank an entire enemy force consisting of a cruiser and three destroyers. Commander Sims, by his skillful maneuvering, bold and aggressive attacks brought his ship and crew through this most successful engagement without loss or damage. His inspiring leadership and gallant fighting spirit reflect great credit upon Commander Sims, his command and the United States Naval Service.
Contributor:
BarryC
For Bio:
Navy Cross Citation
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Division: U.S.S. Maury (DD-401)
GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander South Pacific: Serial 002142 (October 13, 1943)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Gelzer Loyall Sims (NSN: 0-59341), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. MAURY (DD-401), during a surface engagement with enemy Japanese forces at Vella Gulf, Solomon Islands, on the night of 6 - 7 August 1943. In a well timed and coordinated gun and torpedo attack his ship together with five other destroyers engaged, destroyed and sank an entire enemy force consisting of a cruiser and three destroyers. Commander Sims, by his skillful maneuvering, bold and aggressive attacks brought his ship and crew through this most successful engagement without loss or damage. His inspiring leadership and gallant fighting spirit reflect great credit upon Commander Sims, his command and the United States Naval Service.
Contributor:
BarryC
Inscription
R. Adm. U.S.N. Ret.
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