Commander of the Atlantic Destroyer Flotilla in 1913

First Captain of the Battleship U.S.S. Nevada, the most powerful ship in the U.S. Navy in 1916

President of the U.S. Naval War College

Senior U.S. Naval Representative in London during World War I

Vice Admiral in command of all U.S. Naval forces operating in Europe in 1917-1918

Pulitzer Prize Winner for his book, "Victory at Sea"

(1858-1936) Born to American parents in Port Hope, Canada, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1880. In March 1897, he was promoted to rank of lieutenant and assigned as military attaché to Paris and Saint Petersburg. It was during this assignment that the Spanish American War was fought and he was able to use his diplomatic contacts to gather intelligence on Spain and their high ranking commanders. As a young U.S. naval officer he tried to reform naval gunnery by improving its target practice, but ran into resistance by his superior officers. Not taking no for an answer, Sims who was unfazed wrote directly to President Theodore Roosevelt, the former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Navy, who was intrigued by the young officer’s ideas and assigned him to the position of Inspector of Naval Gunnery. He was promoted to rank of lieutenant commander on November 5, 1902, and commander on July 1, 1907. He then attended the Naval War College in 1911-1912, being promoted to the rank of captain on March 4, 1911. He was appointed Commander of the Atlantic Destroyer Flotilla in July 1913, and on March 11, 1916, he became the first captain of the battleship U.S.S. Nevada, the largest, most modern, and most powerful ship in the entire U.S. Navy. His selection as the ship’s captain showed the great esteem in which he was held by the brass of the U.S. Navy. Shortly before the commencement of World War I, then Rear Admiral Sims was assigned as the president of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and then was sent to London by President Woodrow Wilson where he served as the senior naval representative of the United States. In April 1917, Sims was promoted to command over the U.S. naval forces operating in Britain and a promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral. The biggest threat he faced was a very strong and effective German submarine campaign against freighters bringing in vital supplies, food and ammunition to the Allies. The combined Anglo-American naval war against the German u-boats in the western approach to the British Isles in 1917-1918 was a success due to the ability of Sims to work smoothly with his British counterpart, Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly. He ended the war as vice admiral in command of all U.S. naval forces operating in Europe. After the war he served a second tour of duty as president of the Naval War College, 1919-1922. While holding this position Sims wrote and published his book, "The Victory at Sea," which describes his experiences in World War I. In 1921, "Victory at Sea" won the Pulitzer Prize for History. Admiral Sims retired from the navy on October 1922 having reached the retirement age of 64. He was promoted to full admiral on the retired list in 1930. Admiral Sims died in Boston in 1936 at the age of 77. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

9 x 12, color lithographic portrait of Sims in naval uniform wearing naval cap with insignia and braiding. Imprint on the front at bottom right, Western Newspaper Union Photo Service, Pub. Taber Prang Art Co. Stamped on the reverse, No. 2118, Admiral Sims, Published by Taber Prang Art Co., Springfield, Massachusetts. Bottom right corner is worn and there are light surface tears at upper corners and edges. None of these flaws touch upon the subject which would look nice matted and framed. Desirable portrait of this United States naval hero.

WBTS Trivia:

Military Awards Earned by Admiral Sims:

Distinguished Service Medal
Spanish Campaign Medal
Philippine Campaign Medal
Mexican Service Medal
Victory Service Medal
Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael & St. George
Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor
Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy

Civilian Medals:

Pulitzer Prize For History
Theodore Roosevelt Association's Distinguished Service Medal
American Legion's Distinguished Service Medal