Master Gunnery Sergeant (Ret) Wally Simmons enlisted in the United States Marine Corps two days after graduating from high school in May 1981. After graduating from MCRD Parris Island, SC, and AMS (Structures) A School, he checked into VMA-231 supporting the AV-8A and began a 40-year career supporting the AV-8 Harrier in uniform, as a government contractor, and in government civil service.

Throughout his Marine Corps career, MGySgt Simmons served with VMA-231 as an AV-8A/B Metal Smith CDI, aircraft turn-up operator, aircraft painter, Maintenance Control leader, and Airframes Chief. He also served as an AV-8B Structures Mechanic Instructor with NAMTRAGRUDET Cherry Point; NCOIC of RSS Vestavia Hills, Alabama, with USMC Recruiting Command; Airframes Chief and Aircraft Maintenance Chief with VMAT-203; Aircraft Maintenance Chief with VMA-223; Instructional Systems Design Lead with the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training; a member of the 2d MAW Aviation Logistics Department Inspection Team; and retired in the position of Aircraft Maintenance Chief for MAG-14/MALS-14.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Wally continued supporting Marine aviation as the first Operations Coordinator for Marine Aviation Training Systems Site Cherry Point, working with flight simulators as a contractor. He later served with NAVAIR/FRC-East as an H-46 Avionics Logistics Management Specialist and as Deputy Program Manager for Logistics and Aircrew Escape Systems Lead.

MGySgt Simmons deployed numerous times worldwide supporting the AV8A/B Harrier.  Wally is originally from Chipley, FL and currently resides in New Bern, NC. He and his wife of 42 years, Lori, have 2 children, and 6 Grandchildren. MGySgt Simmons graduated from Southern Illinois University with a B.S. in Aviation Management.