Pupils at Episcopal Day School got a lesson in leadership last week from a Medal of Honor recipient.

Middle school pupils gathered Friday in the parish hall of the Church of the Good Shepherd to ask Sammy Davis questions about his service in the Vietnam War.

They also asked questions about the movie Forrest Gump. Clips from Mr. Davis' Medal of Honor ceremony were used in the film, with Tom Hanks' face superimposed over Mr. Davis' face.

Like Mr. Hanks' character in the movie, Mr. Davis paddled across a river after being wounded to save the lives of his buddies.

"It's not exactly like it is in the movies, and it's not always like it is in a video game," he told the pupils, referring to war. "Those things are made to be entertaining. War isn't entertaining."

Mr. Davis said that coming from a military family, he knew when he was growing up that he wanted to serve his country. His grandfathers, his father and two of his brothers served in the Army.

"I volunteered to go into the Vietnam War," he said. "It was something I wanted to do because I believe there are some things that are worth fighting for and dying for. Freedom is one of those things."

Although it's important to build courage, as a leader it is OK to be afraid sometimes, he said.

"I was frightened, but I didn't let it keep me from doing my job," he said. "It's OK to be frightened of something, but it's not OK to shy away in the corner from it."

Mr. Davis' visit was part of Episcopal Day School's leadership curriculum, said Bailey Walker, the head of the middle school.

"We want to develop the innate leadership abilities our students have and help them to identify their strengths," he said. "We believe that all our students are leaders, and we want them to tap into those leadership skills."

The leadership curriculum includes topics such as responsibility, listening skills and cooperation.