Colonel Arthur D. "Bull" Simons
28 June 1918 - 21 May 1979
Arthur D. "Bull" Simons was commissioned in 1941 and commanded a field artillery battery from 1942-44 before becoming a company commander and battalion executive officer in the 6th Ranger Battalion. He participated in several hazardous landings with the Rangers in the Pacific. After World War II, Major Simons left the Army for five years. He returned to serve as an infantry instructor and Ranger trainer in the Amphibious and Jungle Training camp. Other assignments included tours with the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Turkey and XVIII Airborne Corps before joining the 77th Special Forces Group in 1958. In 1960 he served as Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center. He commanded the White Star Mobile Training Team in Laos from 1961 to 1962 and was the first commander of the 8th Special Forces Group, Panama from 1962 to 1964. From Panama, he was assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Studies and Observation Group, which conducted numerous behind-the-line missions in Southeast Asia.
Colonel Simons is best known for his role as Deputy Commander of Operation Ivory Coast, more famously know as the Son Tey Raid. After returning stateside, Colonel Simons served with the XVIII Airborne Corps.
After retiring from the Army, he organized and led a privately financed rescue of American employees of Texas businessman Ross Perot, who were trapped in Iran.
Colonel Simon’s decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, The Legion of Merit ( with four Oak Leaf Clusters), the Silver Star, The Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, The Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the WWII Service Medal (Pacific Theater), the Philippine Independence Ribbon, the VietNam Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge - 2d Award, and the Master Airborne Qualification