Benjamin Taylor Simmons was born in Fairfield, Hyde County, North Carolina on 27 August 1871.

It was during the battle for Santiago that he was cited for "gallantry in action against Spanish forces" and awarded his first Silver Star.

[2] Simmons began World War I in Arizona with the 35th Infantry Regiment before being moved to Southern Department Headquarters.

In April 1917, he transferred to Camp Grant in Illinois and there organized and commanded the 344th Infantry Regiment as a colonel.

On 1 October 1918, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and placed in command of the 19th Infantry Division and the 163rd Depot Brigade at Camp Dodge, Iowa and remained there until the end of 1919.

Simmons graduated from the United States Army War College in 1921,[5] but was placed on sick leave from June 1921 until July 1922.