VINCENT M. SIM, LCDR, USN

Vincent Sim '38

Date of birth: September 30, 1914

Date of death: May 6, 1946

Age: 31

Lucky Bag

From the 1938 Lucky Bag:

VINCENT MONCRIEFF SIM

Chicago, Illinois

Vinnie, Vince

You'll probably hear him before you see him. In either case, stand by because when Vinnie's around things happen and happen fast. Ambidextrous and versatile, Vinnie can do more things with his hands than a girl with a hairpin. He has a splendid memory for batting averages but for formulas and French verbs—no! He readily recognizes and appreciates the things that are sterling. His hair-trigger sense of humor often relieves from the seriousness of the moment but savoir-faire redeems him. Vinnie enters enthusiastically into sports, society and nudist colonies. He is one of the few who can say and do what they please and still retain their friends. His genial disregard for conventions leads to his doing the unusual with an enviable nonchalance. Vinnie's host of friends and virtues are stepping stones to certain success.

Swimming 3, 2, 1; Water Polo 4; Choir 4, 3, 2, 1; Radio Club 4, 3, 2, 1; M.P.O.

VINCENT MONCRIEFF SIM

Chicago, Illinois

Vinnie, Vince

You'll probably hear him before you see him. In either case, stand by because when Vinnie's around things happen and happen fast. Ambidextrous and versatile, Vinnie can do more things with his hands than a girl with a hairpin. He has a splendid memory for batting averages but for formulas and French verbs—no! He readily recognizes and appreciates the things that are sterling. His hair-trigger sense of humor often relieves from the seriousness of the moment but savoir-faire redeems him. Vinnie enters enthusiastically into sports, society and nudist colonies. He is one of the few who can say and do what they please and still retain their friends. His genial disregard for conventions leads to his doing the unusual with an enviable nonchalance. Vinnie's host of friends and virtues are stepping stones to certain success.

Swimming 3, 2, 1; Water Polo 4; Choir 4, 3, 2, 1; Radio Club 4, 3, 2, 1; M.P.O.

Loss

Vincent was lost on May 6, 1946 when his plane crashed in the vicinity of Smith Island in the Chesapeake Bay. (Information from September 1946 issue of SHIPMATE.)

He is buried in California.

Career

From naval aviation historian Richard Leonard via email on February 9, 2018:

Date of rank LTJG from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941

NAS Pensacola attached for HTA flight training, 3/19/1942

Date of rank LT from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942

NAS Pensacola designated NA # 15841, 7/24/1942

Date of rank LCDR unknown, probably 10/17/45

TacTest NAS Patuxent KIFA near Smith Island in Chesapeake Bay 5/6/1946

Vincent served as a LT aboard USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE 75) at some point during the war.

Post-War Service

He is listed as the 83rd Naval Aviator to pilot a jet aircraft, doing so on February 21, 1946 at Patuxent Naval Air Station in a P-59B.

Class of 1938

Vincent is one of 71 members of the Class of 1938 on Virtual Memorial Hall.