Amor LeRoy Sims (May 29, 1896 – November 30, 1978) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general, who is most noted as commanding officer of 7th Marine Regiment during World War II. He also served as chief of the Norfolk Police Department from 1949 to 1952.
Early years
Sims was born on May 29, 1896, in Groveport, Ohio, as the son of carpenter Harry Harrison Sims (1871–1948) and his wife Rose Catherine Saylor Sims (1870–1938). Following high school, Amor entered Ohio State University, but left after two years due to the United States' entry into World War I in April 1917. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as private and was then assigned to the newly activated 17th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment at Philadelphia Navy Yard and embarked for France. During his service with the 17th Company, Sims served with many distinguished officers, who reached general officer rank in their later careers, including Robert Blake, LeRoy P. Hunt, Leonard E. Rea or Roswell Winans.
He arrived to Saint-Nazaire in early July of that year and spent the rest of the year with training with the French elite mountain infantry, Chasseurs Alpins, near Gondecourt in northern France. During that period, Sims rose to the rank of sergeant and earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
In mid-March 1918, Sims and his battalion were ordered to the frontline trenches in the Toulon Sector, just southeast of Verdun. It was a relatively quiet period and they spent their time repairing of existing trenches and dugouts, digging new trenches, and stringing and repairing barbed wire entanglements. The 5th Marines departed Toulon Sector in mid-May 1918 and after a brief period of training at the Gizors training area, they were finally ordered to the front north of Marne River near Château-Thierry on June 2.
Sims participated in the famous Battle of Belleau Wood and distinguished himself while under enemy fire on June 6, 1918, during the Attack on Hill 142. One of fellow marine, Sgt. Paul J. Robinett, had been badly wounded in the chest and lay in an exposed position swept by machine gun, rifle and artillery fire. Sims and two fellow marines volunteered for the rescue mission and moved him to a shelter. For this act of valor, Sims was decorated with the Silver Star.
He later took part in the Battle of Soissons in July 1918, but was badly wounded by enemy fire and spent two months in field hospital. For his experiences and skills, Sims received a battlefield promotion and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve. He later joined 66th Company as platoon leader and took part in the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge in October 1918 and Meuse-Argonne Offensive in November of that year. Sims was also decorated with the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 with Palm and Fourragère by the Government of France.
Interwar period
Following the Armistice, Sims was attached to the headquarters of 4th Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Wendell C. Neville and participated in the March to the Rhineland and its occupation. He was stationed in Coblenz and received temporary promotion to first lieutenant in August 1919. Upon his return stateside soon after, Sims was reverted to the rank of second lieutenant and integrated into the regular Marine Corps.
He subsequently sailed with 2nd Provisional Marine Brigade for his first expeditionary duty to Santo Domingo and participated in the maintaining of order during the presidential elections. Sims was promoted to the permanent rank of first lieutenant in March 1921 and returned to the United States in February 1922 for duty at Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina.
While there, he commanded the Naval Prison Detachment until mid-1925 and then sailed for Guantánamo Bay, Cuba for duty as post quartermaster, Marine Barracks, Guantanamo. Sims later served as Post Executive officer with that command and departed for United States in August 1927 in order to attend the Company Officer's Course at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. Following the graduation, he was placed in command of the Marine detachment at Receiving Station, Philadelphia Navy Yard and also act as assistant brig warden.