David Simms was born in St. Marys, Ohio, on March 19, 1977, the son of Dave and Cheryl Simms. He graduated from St. Marys Memorial High School in 1995, where he participated in Cross Country, Wrestling, Baseball, and the St. Marys Memorial All Brass Band and Symphonic Band. He enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard as a 19K, M1A1 Armor Crewman and was assigned to A Co., 1st Battalion,147th Armor in Lima. After graduating from The Ohio State University in June 2000, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and reported to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to complete the Armor Officer Basic Course.

David was assigned to D Co., 1st Battalion, 72nd Armor at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea, where he served as an M1A1 Tank Platoon Leader. He then reported to Fort Carson, Colorado, where he served in Fox Troop, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment as an M1A2 Tank Platoon Leader and later Scout Platoon Leader. He deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, where his platoon served in Fallujah and Ramadi in Anbar Province. While in Fallujah, then 1st Lieutenant Simms was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for actions in the city as his element reacted to a close ambush by Saddam Fedayeen forces trying to gain control of the city from the American force of 200 Soldiers.

He was promoted to Captain and reported to 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served as the Squadron Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and later Assistant Operations Officer. He again deployed to Baghdad in late 2004. In October 2005, he assumed command of D Co., 4th Battalion, 64th Armor and was responsible for the security of the International (Green) Zone, Karradah, Karkh, and Kindi districts of Baghdad. While escorting a route clearance package on December 25, 2005, in rural south Baghdad, Captain Simms was struck by shrapnel from an enemy 60 mm mortar while dismounted and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

Captain Simms assumed command of Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor, deploying for a third time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His company assumed responsibility for southern Baghdad Province for 15 months, where he focused on development and internal security of the Radwaniyah District. The district became the first in Iraq to transition from Coalition to Iraqi control. He was promoted to Major in 2008 and reported to the U.S. Army Armor School to train Captains. While there, he completed a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Tiffin University.

David was assigned to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command before his selection to attend the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College. He was awarded a Master of Military Operational Art and Science Degree and was assigned as the Battalion Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He was later selected to become the Brigade Executive Officer, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and led the brigade’s efforts to become the first Regionally Aligned force for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Pacific Pathways Multi-National Partnership Training Program, and led the effort to test new collective training models at the US Army’s National Training Center. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and reported to the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) G-3/5/7 as the National Training Center Operations Officer. He was deployed – for the fourth time – to East Africa. He reported to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Director, J5 (Strategy, Plans, Policy, and Programs) for U.S. Special Operations Command Forward – East Africa. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Joint Service Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Medal, and Joint Meritorious Unit Award. 

His final assignment was as the Department Chair and Professor of Military Science at Kent State University in July 2017. He entered the U.S. Army Retired List on October 1, 2020, after 23 years of service. Shortly thereafter, he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Global Leadership and Change from Tiffin University.



For his dedicated, exemplary 23 years in the United States Army, including serving during numerous deployments to Iraq, Jordan, Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya; for his leadership and courage while serving in hostile environments; and for earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Global Leadership and Change, Lieutenant Colonel David N. Simms is inducted into the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation Hall of Fame for Military Service to Country.