Upon reaching age 18, Dayne M. “Jick” Simmons volunteered for military service so that he and Rodger N. Hudson could choose to serve in the US Navy. On January 27, 1944, they were given orders to report for pre-induction examinations at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, MS. After reporting, they were separated, and Roger Hudson was waiting in a large waiting room to be called into an office, when he noticed “Jick” Simmons coming out of the office and his face was as red as his hair. He told Rodger that the military had not kept their word about their being able to choose the branch of service they wanted to serve in since they had volunteered. Instead, “Jick” had been placed in the US Army, and he was unhappy. Rodger was prepared to argue because “Jick” had warned him of what the military had done. Rodger was placed in the Navy and sent out the backdoor to be picked up. “Jick” came around the building still mad and that was the last time they saw each other.

“Jick” was sent through basic training and certified as a rifleman in the 17 week training from 2/21/44 to 6/17/44 at the Infantry Replacement Training Center, Camp Blanding, Florida. He was shipped overseas to the European Theater to participate in the invasion of Germany. In a letter dated March 12, 1945, addressed to his mother, he thanked his mother for her letters which helped a lot. He assured his mother that he carried his little Bible in his pocket at all times. He also said “he would have it the day he comes home”. He told his mother that he wanted to come home soon and was praying that he could be home for Christmas. “It really would be wonderful, and no one knows just what home means till they get away,” he wrote. He also told his mother that the enlisted men couldn’t associate with the nurses because they were officers.

Less than a week later, Dayne M. “Jick” Simmons was killed in action on March 18, 1945, while directing artillery fire, during the advance of his 260th Infantry Regiment in the Battle of the Bulge near Saarlautern, Germany. He was buried in the Duchy of Luxembourg in a military cemetery. Caradine Young was in the area later and took photographs of “Jick” Simmons’ grave with his dogtag hanging around the cross. When Caradine returned to the states he later gave the photos to the Simmons family. The Purple Heart was awarded PFC Simmons posthumously and presented to his family.