Paul J. Robinett, had been badly wounded in the chest and lay in an exposed position swept by machine gun, rifle and artillery fire.

He later joined 66th Company as platoon leader and took part in the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge in October 1918 and Meuse-Argonne Offensive in November of that year.

[5][3][1] Following the Armistice, Sims was attached to the headquarters of 4th Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Wendell C. Neville and participated in the March to the Rhineland and its occupation.

[3][1] He subsequently sailed with 2nd Provisional Marine Brigade for his first expeditionary duty to Santo Domingo and participated in the maintaining of order during the presidential elections.

Sims was promoted to the permanent rank of first lieutenant in March 1921 and returned to the United States in February 1922 for duty at Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina.

[3][1] While there, he commanded the Naval Prison Detachment until mid-1925 and then sailed for Guantánamo Bay, Cuba for duty as post quartermaster, Marine Barracks, Guantanamo.

Following the graduation, he was placed in command of the Marine detachment at Receiving Station, Philadelphia Navy Yard and also act as assistant brig warden.

Sims was promoted to captain in October 1930 and appointed commander, 9th Company in Bluefields, where he served until July 1931, when he was ordered back to the United States.

Sims was sent as an instructor to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard in June 1935 and participated in the training of newly commissioned officers until May 1938.

He participated in landing exercises at Guantanamo and at Culebra, Puerto Rico, until early spring when the regiment was ordered to the United States.

[3][1][6] Sims was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1941 and continued with the training of his battalion at Parris Island, South Carolina until October of that year, when he was reappointed as regimental executive officer.

Sims went ashore on September 18, 1942, and replaced regimental commander, Colonel James W. Webb, who was relieved by Vandegrift two days later.

Although the personnel of his command were physically exhausted from previous hard fighting, Sims led his regiment into action against a large force of recently landed enemy troops on the north coast of Guadalcanal.

Engaging the Japanese in a grueling series of hand-to-hand combats extending through a period of ten days, he succeeded with his men in driving them back across the Malimbiu and Metapons Rivers and eventually annihilating them in the vicinity of Tetere Village.

[4][10] Sims held the command of the regiment until the end of June 1943 and then succeeded Colonel Gerald C. Thomas as Chief of staff of 1st Marine Division.

Harrell hired him, because he felt that discipline among police officers was very poor and a retired Marine Corps general could put it right.