Page:Eyewitness Statement of Lawrence Marunchuk, Sergeant, Company D, Second Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st... - NARA - 305386.jpg



(Continuation of EYEWITNESS STATEMENT)

SSG Sims moved some 25 yards he accidentally tripped a well concealed booby trap. Realizing that he was so close and that the lives of his men were in extreme danger, he violently yelled, "Get back! Get back!" and then threw himself on the device, equal to twice the force of a fragmentation grenade. SSG Sims willingly sacrificed his life to save the lives of his men. It is my firm belief that had SSG Sims not attacked the position with the force and enthusiasm he displayed, the 1st Platoon and company headquarters might well have been destroyed. SSG Sims saved the lives of at least three of his squad and two of the company headquarters by absorbing the shock of the blast himself. His actions were with complete disregard for his own life in the interest of his men and his mission. SSG Sims made the greatest sacrifice a soldier can make in the defense of his fellow soldiers, and no mark of tribute can be too great.