Col. Arthur Bull Simons
Col. Arthur D. “Bull” Simons was a US Army Special Forces officer who was such a no-nonsense, apolitical, mission-first badass that they would not promote him to General Officer. Even after 3 decades of service throughout 3 different wars.
He’s probably best known by the world at large for the Sơn Tây raid during Vietnam, but it’s his impact in the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community that really shows what a Warlord he was. In fact, it’s because of Simon’s remarkable career and influence that the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) created the Bull Simons Award.
That is a specific award is given out only once a year to recognize a warfighter that exemplifies and embodies Col. Simons’ spirit. Special Operations legends from every branch may be considered for the award.
More on that below!
Career Overview
Simons was commissioned as an artillery officer in 1941, serving in the Pacific Theater; two years later, he left Field Artillery when assigned to the brand new 6th Ranger Battalion. That unit played a key role in the liberation of the Philippines.
He was later recalled to duty, and over the next 20+ years served with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (with all that entails), in addition to the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 77th Special Forces Group, and the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center.
As a Lt. Col., Simons led Special Forces soldiers in Laos, then became the first commander of the 8th Special Forces Group. The 8th SFG was responsible for operations in Central and South America, including the Panama Canal.
.Oh, and somewhere in there he also helped develop the Jungle Warfare School.
On Wings of Eagles
In 1970 Col. Simons was chosen to plan and execute a joint SOF mission into North Vietnam to rescue American and allied Prisoners of War; that mission is most often referred to as the Sơn Tây raid but was formally called Operation Ivory Coast.
You should read the Citation to Accompany the Award for his Distinguished Service Cross.
This mission was latter immortalized by author Ken Follett in the book On Wings of Eagles.
Retired Raid into Iran
What many of you youngsters and Warlords-in-the-making might not know or recall is, Simons later helped American gozillionaire Ross Perot organize a privately funded and operated rescue mission into Iran. This was years after his retirement, by the way; he was in his 60s.
He led the mission himself, including the extract from the riot-choked streets of Tehran and the subsequent cross-mountain trek into Turkey.
That mission was successful. As a consequence, and in no small part at the behest of Ross Perot, the Arthur D. Simons Center for the Study of Interagency Cooperation was named in his honor.
At His Graveside
Col. Simons is buried in Barrancas National Cemetery, Section 36, Site 1956.
One side of his tombstone reads:
HISTORY TEACHES THAT WHEN YOU BECOME INDIFFERENT AND LOSE THE WILL TO FIGHT SOMEONE WHO HAS THE WILL TO FIGHT WILL TAKE OVER
The other side reads:
WHO WILL GO? SEND ME
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About the Bull Simons Award
This is the formal description of the Award in the Army’s own words:
The BULL SIMONS award, named after the legendary Colonel Arthur “Bull” Simons is presented annually by US Special Operations Command as a lifetime achievement award to those who embody the spirit, values and skills of the Special Operations Unconventional Warrior, and is USSOCOM’s highest honor.
If you’re curious, some of those past recipients include these hardcases.
Col. Arthur D. “Bull” Simons
Warlord & Legend
Rest in Honor, Sir