Sgt. 1st Class Davis is speaking at Rising Sun and South Dearborn high schools on Friday.
Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis speaking to students at Lawrenceburg High School. Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.
(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – Greendale Middle School and Lawrenceburg High School students had the opportunity to be in the presence of a true American hero on Thursday afternoon.
Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis spoke to the student body about serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Davis is Indiana’s only living recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military medal for valor. Each person in attendance at Thursday’s speaking engagement had the opportunity to hold the Medal of Honor.
Double T holding the Medal of Honor. Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.
Many students also had the opportunity to shake Sgt. Davis’ hand and ask him a question face-to-face.
One student asked, “How did you get the Medal of Honor?”
Sgt. Davis’ response:
“It’s a long story, but I can shorten it. I swam across the river and brought back three of my brothers. When I did that, my back was broke, my ribs were crushed, I was shot in the right thigh by an AK-47, I was burnt, but I didn’t quit trying because when I saw those three men over there, I tried to do for them what I believe they would do for me. I’m not a brave man, I’m 76-years-old and I’m still scared of the dark, but I’ll come across the river and get you because I believe in my heart you would do the same for me. It’s called love. I love my brothers.”
Sgt. Davis answered several other questions from the student body, including how he got the nickname, “The Real Forrest Gump.”
In 1994, footage from his Medal of Honor award ceremony was used in the film Forrest Gump, with actor Tom Hanks’ head superimposed over that of Davis.
GMS and LHS students pack the bleachers to listen to Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis speak. Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.
Sgt. Davis was also asked what his advice would be to someone who is thinking about joining the military. His response was simple, “join!”
Sgt. Davis is not only a Medal of Honor recipient. He also earned the Silver Star, Purple heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.
He will speak at Rising Sun and South Dearborn high schools on Friday. On Saturday, Sgt. Davis will give the dedication speech at the Huey Helicopter Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Lesko Park in Aurora.
The dedication speech will start at 11:00 a.m.
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