- Date Of Birth: March 8, 1918
- Date Of Death: March 1, 2012
- State: Florida
Henry C. Simmons
Lived a long and exciting life.
Born (8 March 1918) and raised in Birmingham, Alabama he entered the Army Air Corp in 1941. During his military career he fought in three wars: WW II, Korea and the 1958 Lebanese conflict, retiring at the rank of Lt. Colonel. As a combat pilot Simmons received 15 combat awards and decorations, including a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. He also served as an intelligence officer in the Pentagon, Director of Air Targets Europe, and was involved in the U-2 Spy Plane Operation.
Simmons and his family moved to Miami from Germany in 1960 to become the Professor of Aerospace Science at the University of Miami (ROTC). After retiring from the Air Force he became a stock broker at Merrill Lynch until 1983.
He was a past President of the South Miami Rotary Club and active in many Military organizations. An original Miami Dolphin season ticket holder, he and his wife also enjoyed the “Sport of Kings” thoroughbred horse racing. They were regular attendants at Calder, Hialeah, and Gulfstream Parks.
Predeceased by his wife of 62 years and childhood sweetheart, Marion. He is survived by sister Betty Winston, son Scott, and his wife Valerie, son Keith, and his wife BJ.
Since 1965, Lt. Colonel Simmons was a member of St.
