You don't buy Courage. Who would sell it anyway? This is another in the long list of Greatest stories ever told. Teach your children Courage, Wisdom will follow.
Sammy Davis looks nothing like Forrest Gump.
Unlike the character in the 1994 movie, he's partial to catfish, not shrimp. His pastime was pool, not ping pong. And he wasn't born in a little fictional Alabama town called Greenbow.
Still, the life of the man who's sometimes called the "real Forrest Gump" mimics the fictional character where it counts.
Just like Forrest, Mr. Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor after rescuing several of his wounded comrades during a Viet Cong attack. Video of Mr. Davis receiving the honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson was used in the film, with Mr. Hanks's face superimposed over Mr. Davis'.
On Thursday, Mr. Davis told his story to members of the Augusta Exchange Club.
Standing before the crowd with the medal clasped around his neck, Mr. Davis recounted how after suffering injuries from a mortar round, he swam three of his wounded comrades across a nearby river using a small air mattress.
Mr. Davis, born in Dayton, Ohio, said that from a young age he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was an artilleryman in World War II. In November 1967, he was among a group of men operating howitzers near Cai Lay when they were attacked. He was taken to Saigon to be treated for his wounds where he played pool.
"We all helped each other down the hallway, then we would play pool," he said. "We didn't even want to, but it was teaching us hand-eye coordination again."
Mr. Davis said his efforts in Cai Lay not only earned him the medal, but also resulted in several health issues and memories he'll never forget.
"Almost with every breath I'm reminded of Vietnam," Mr. Davis said.
Reach Adam Folk at (706) 823-3339 or adam.folk@augustachronicle.com.
'FORREST GUMP'
RELEASE: 1994
STARS: Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump; Robin Wright Penn as Jenny Curran; Sally Field as his mother Mrs. Gump; Gary Sinise as Lt. Dan Taylor; Mykelti Williamson as Pvt. Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue
BOX OFFICE: Sales grossed more than $329 million in the U.S. and $673 million worldwide
AWARDS: 6 Oscars, including best actor, best director and best picture
FILMED AT: Regional locations include Beaufort, S.C.; Fripp Island, S.C.; Yemassee, S.C.; Varnville, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; Asheville, N.C.
Source: IMDB.com
Comments
You don't buy Courage. Who would sell it anyway? This is another in the long list of Greatest stories ever told. Teach your children Courage, Wisdom will follow.
Sorry I missed you Sammy. We're from the same area back in SE IL. You know my Dad. He's always talked alot about you. Your fight against the govt over Agent Orange. I know your every movement causes pain.
I only met you once, back in 86 or '87. Lima, OH. I was at a motel for a training conference (was an Army recruiter then). During a break, I walked out in the lobby. Saw a guy in Army dress blues. Strange, I thought. Guy has a beard. Saw the name tag "Davis" and the medal. I instantly knew who you were and shook your hand.
Hate the fact of knowing I was in Augusta Thurs and not knowing you were there.
God bless and good speed. If you see my Dad, Bob Weger, back in Flat Rock, or around Robinson or the vet home in Hutsonville, tell him hello.
4 weeks ago he did his 647th military funeral for the Legion and VFW. I'm trying to get those org's to recognize him at the national level.
Thank you Sammy. Take care. You are an inspiration.
Bill Weger
gijoe, excellent comments.
gijoe, excellent comments.
Than you Sammy from another Agent Orange victim for your valiant service during and after the war.
God bless you, Mr. Davis, and others like you for fighting for our freedom and keeping this great country of ours free!
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