This Wall of Honor dedication to Colonel Colben Keith Sime, Jr. USMC (Ret) is from his loving family: his wife (the former Betsy Anne Roberts Hansen), his children and their spouses (Billy and Kathy Sime, Jane Sime and Walter Campbell, David and Vicki Sime, Susan Katsanis, and Carolyn Sime), and his 7 grand children (Kilah Sime, Kristen, Keri and Katie Sime, Christopher and Andrew Campbell and Marie Bisson).

Colonel Sime was born on October 2, 1933 in Billings, Montana. His parents moved to Portland, Oregon when he was 7. He grew up in Portland, graduated from Oregon State College in Corvallis, Oregon with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant out of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program at Oregon State in June 1955.

Colonel Sime was selected for flight school and commenced basic flight training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida in January 1956. He carrier qualified in the SNJ aboard the USS Saipan in September and completed basic flight training in November 1956. Assigned to continue flight training at NAS Kingsville Texas in December, Colonel Sime completed jet advanced flight training, was promoted to First Lieutenant, received his wings and became Naval Aviator #V-11656 on 8 March 1957.

Colonel Sime was then assigned to Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron 3 (VMCJ-3) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro, Santa Ana, California. He rotated with the squadron to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in July 1958. Upon return from Japan he was assigned as an instructor in Fighter and Instrument Training Squadron 2 (VMT-2) at MCAS El Toro and was promoted to Captain. Selected to attend United States Naval Post Graduate School in 1962, Colonel Sime was awarded a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics in June 1964.

After completing his next assignment as Quality Assurance Officer at the MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina Aircraft Rework Facility, Colonel Sime was assigned to the First Marine Aircraft Wing, then at Da Nang, Vietnam. While assigned as the Assistant Wing Aircraft Maintenance Officer, he flew armed reconnaissance missions and psychological warfare flights. He was promoted to Major in 1966 during this tour.

On his return from Vietnam in 1967, Colonel Sime was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Arlington, Virginia where he was assigned as an aircraft Weapons Systems Officer. After 2 years, he waived his overseas control date for retraining in the MacDonnell Douglas Phantom F-4 aircraft and returned to Vietnam where he was assigned as the Aircraft Maintenance officer for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) at Chu Lai where he flew both fighter and attack missions in the F-4. When the squadron was directed to fly its aircraft to MCAS El Toro, California as part of the retrograde movement from Vietnam, Colonel Sime flew back with the squadron.

He then returned to Vietnam, flew helicopters, assisted in planning the retrograde of the First Marine Aircraft Wing to Iwakuni, Japan and completed his tour in 1971.

Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Colonel Sime was selected to attend the Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Quantico, Virginia. While there he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, received the Clifton B. Cates award for Superior Academic Achievement in Individual Research for his research paper titled, "Analysis of a Theoretically Developed High-Speed Heavy-Lift Helicopter Configured with a Circulation Control Rotor" and graduated with honors in 1972.

Colonel Sime was next assigned to the Staff of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) in Hawaii where he served as a Plans Officer and subsequently as Staff Secretary to the Commanding General, an assignment in which he served until he was selected to become the Commanding Officer of Marine Air Base Squadron 24 (MABS-24) at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

In 1976, Colonel Sime was selected to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) at Fort McNair, Washington, DC. While there, he was promoted to Colonel, wrote a study titled "The Issue of Military Unionism, Genesis, Current Status and Resolution" that was published as a National Security Monograph by the College and graduated as a distinguished graduate in June 1977.

From June 1977 to June 1980 when he retired, Colonel Sime served as the Head of the Amphibious Section in the Systems Analysis Division within the Navy Department. While there, he conceived the early organizational structure and managed the "Navy/Marine Corps Mobility Enhancement Study" that proved the feasibility and provided the basis for the Maritime Prepositioning concept, which subsequently was implemented by the Department of Defense for assignment to the Rapid Deployment Force.

During his career, Colonel Sime flew a total of 3368 hours in a variety of aircraft including the SNJ, T-28B/C, T-33B, F9F-5, AD-5N, F3D-2Q, F9F-8P, TF9J, C45-J, T2J, U-11A, F-4B/J, C-119, RF-4C, U-10B, 0-2B, TA-4F, UH-1E/N, SH-3A, CH-46A/D, AH-1G, C-l 17D, KC-130, and OV-10 aircraft. His military decorations include 2 Legions of Merit (one with Combat "V"), 12 Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal with combat "V," National Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Stars, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross Color with Palm and Frame, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions First Class and the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Stars.

Colonel Sime is a member of the Quiet Birdmen (Member # 36409), the Marine Corps Aviation Association, and the Association of Naval Aviation.