Edward Simms enlisted into the United States Marine Corps as a private on 1942-01-09 in Philadelphia, PA. He began his training with the 11th Recruit Battalion at Parris Island, SC. As a private first class, he was assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which was based out of the Marine Corps Air Station in New River, NC. He traveled with I/3/5 to Guadalcanal in October of 1942. This was during the Battle of Guadalcanal, which was fought from 1942-08-07 until 1943-02-09. In January of 1943, while still assigned to I/3/5, he was stationed in the Fleet Post Office in San Francisco, CA. He remained there but was transferred to Casual Company, Division Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. Simms was briefly stationed at the Marine barracks at the Naval Operating Base on Terminal Island, San Pedro, CA. By April of 1944, he was stationed with Casual Company at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn, NY. He was ranked field cook, which is the same rank as corporal, by July 1945. Simms was discharged as a corporal on 1945-11-05. 

Edward Francis Simms, Sr., was born on 1916-05–06 in Jersey City, NJ to Edward and Mary Simms. He was the Simms’ third child of five. Harriet and Raymond were his older siblings, Mary and Shirley were his younger sisters. Simms worked for Erie Railroad Company’s Marine Department. He enlisted into the Marine Corps in 1942 and served until his discharge in 1945. While in the Marines, he married Geraldine Tredeaux in 1943 in New Jersey. They were married until Geraldine’s death in 1968. The couple had one son: Edward Jr. The Simms’ moved to Greensboro, GA. Simms remained in GA until his death on 2002-02-27. He was 85. 

Edward Francis Simms, Find a Grave.

Edward Francis Simms,  U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.

Edward Francis Simms Sr., Legacy.

Edward Francis Simms, U.S., Veterans’ Gravesites, Ca.1775-2019.

Edward F Simms, New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Index, 1901-2016.

Edward F Simms, U.S., Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958.

Edward Simms, 1930 United States Federal Census.