Robert R. Simmons – Army Infantry Combat Veteran

by Maya Jung

A college cross-country and track star, six time letterman and Team Captain, Robert was well proven as a competitor and one who ran to a goal to win. Upon earning his college degree, he did as too few others were doing – he walked to the Army Recruiting Station and enlisted. America was at the height of the Vietnam War.

The Army noted Robert’s Boot Camp performance, read his DI’s and Peers Leadership evaluations, noted the exemplary scholarship of his undergraduate transcripts, and ordered him to Officer Candidate School with an MOS of Combat Infantry. Vietnam was in need of brave, daring  2ND Lt.  Rifle Platoon Leaders, the position’s motto of “Follow Me” put them constantly at risk and in short supply. Robert would lead his men from the front of the ranks for 19 months. Two Bronze Stars are the testimony to what he did and what he survived.

Robert will not speak of the horror of combat. He simply sums it up by stating, “In combat, one comes to Jesus or goes crazy. One tells oneself, if I live I owe giving  back in memory of those who did not survive.”

He does, however, speak of what he learned in combat, “A life’s infusion of values – honesty, integrity, and leadership. I saw it modeled by brave men and women every day. Their inspiration and example has never left me.”

Robert went on to become a CIA operative in Southeast Asia and China, it was his and peers efforts that prevented the entirety of the subcontinent from coming under Communist rule. One can exist only so long in the eye of the storm, what Robert had experienced, accomplished, and learned had now to be utilized in decision making Washington, DC. Two United States Senators who were themselves WWII combat heroes, Senator John Chaffee and American Icon Senator Barry Goldwater, recruited Robert to positions as Lead Staff and Chief of Staff.

Concurrent with his DC positions, Robert maintained military enlistment as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. He would eventually retire as a Colonel in 2003 after 37 years of active and reserve service. Somehow, in doing all this, he made time to earn a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. He married his love Heidi, now a retired Education Literacy Coach, and together proudly raised children Robert and Jane.

In case the use of the name Robert threw the reader, you probably know him best as  “Rob,” former Congressman, State Representative, College Professor, and Town of Stonington Selectman. Quietly or if need be vocally, acting as the prime mover in countless charity and altruistic endeavors, he is still the Infantry Officer – leading from the front! The RESIDENT salutes Colonel Rob Simmons.

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