An evening with an American Hero-(Sgt.) Sammy L. Davis
Thursday May 6th, 2010
Time:
6:30pm-7:30pm-Reception and autograph signing
7:30pm-Presentation
$25 per ticket
$20 per ticket with Heritage Hill Membership
$10 Veteran ticket
Purchase Tickets Online or call 920-448-5150 ext. 0. All veterans tickets need to be called in.
(only 150 tickets available)
2007 Fox-11 interview with Sammy L. Davis
Come and here this incredible story of heroism that will make you proud to be an American and motivate you to do great things! Mr. Davis’s story was the inspiration for the 1994 movie Forrest Gump where footage of his Medal of Honor award ceremony was used in the film.
Mr. Sammy L. Davis short Biography
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Davis joined the Army from Indianapolis, Indiana. By November 18, 1967, he was serving as a private first class with Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Artillery Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam.
On that day, his unit was west of Cai Lay when they fell under heavy mortar attack by the Viet Cong as around 15,000 VC swarmed the area. Upon detecting an enemy position, Davis manned a machine gun to give his comrades covering fire so they could fire artillery in response. Davis was wounded, but ignored warnings to take cover, taking over the unit’s burning howitzer and firing several shells himself.
He also disregarded his inability to swim crossing a river on an air mattress to help rescue three wounded American soldiers. He ultimately found his way to another howitzer site to continue fighting the VC attack until they fled. He was subsequently promoted to sergeant and received the Medal of Honor the following year.
Davis was forced to retire in 1984 due to his injuries. Footage of his Medal of Honor award ceremony was used in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump, with actor Tom Hanks’ head superimposed over that of Davis.
Medal of Honor Citation
Sammy L. Davis Medal of Honor Citation
Sponsors
Wisconsin Public Service Foundation
Ron and Colleen Weyers
Don and Roxanne Weber
Jim and Wendy Dockendorff
Betsy and Phil Hendrickson
Eugene Frank