I was able to spend the weekend with America's hero's past, present and future. And I was able to take my daughter along with me!
We got to have dinner with Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Davis. The real Forest Gump. They put Tom Hanks head on Sammy's photo receiving the award from President LB Johnson.
He tells the story quite a bit different, with more detail and a few tears. It is hard to hear and not tear up. This is the official version:
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Davis (then PFc.) distinguished himself during the early morning hours while serving as a cannoneer with Battery C, at a remote fire support base. At approximately 0200 hours, the fire support base was under heavy enemy mortar attack. Simultaneously, an estimated reinforced Viet Cong battalion launched a fierce ground assault upon the fire support base. The attacking enemy drove to within 25 meters of the friendly positions. Only a river separated the Viet Cong from the fire support base. Detecting a nearby enemy position, Sgt. Davis seized a machinegun and provided covering fire for his guncrew, as they attempted to bring direct artillery fire on the enemy. Despite his efforts, an enemy recoilless rifle round scored a direct hit upon the artillery piece. The resultant blast hurled the guncrew from their weapon and blew Sgt. Davis into a foxhole. He struggled to his feet and returned to the howitzer, which was burning furiously. Ignoring repeated warning to seek cover, Sgt. Davis rammed a shell into the gun. Disregarding a withering hail of enemy fire directed against his position, he aimed and fired the howitzer which rolled backward, knocking Sgt. Davis violently to the ground. Undaunted, he returned to the weapon to fire again when an enemy mortar round exploded within 20 meters of his position, injured him painfully. Nevertheless, Sgt. Davis loaded the artillery piece, aimed and fired. Again he was knocked down by the recoil. In complete disregard for his safety, Sgt. Davis loaded and fired 3 more shells into the enemy. Disregarding his extensive injuries and his inability to swim, Sgt. Davis picked up an air mattress and struck out across the deep river to rescue 3 wounded comrades on the far side. Upon reaching the 3 wounded men, he stood upright and fired into the dense vegetation to prevent the Viet Cong from advancing. While the most seriously wounded soldier was helped across the river, Sgt. Davis protected the 2 remaining casualties until he could pull them across the river to the fire support base. Though suffering from painful wounds, he refused medical attention, joining another howitzer crew which fired at the large Viet Cong force until it broke contact and fled, Sgt. Davis extraordinary heroism, at the risk of his life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
There were 42 US soldiers being overrun by 1500 VC. He was injured and unconscious for a time and when he woke up he fought until his M-16 was empty, then as he was running out of ammo for the M-60 he thought he had died and went to soldier's hello. I will try to write some of the finer points he shared with us because I know some of you will like it. But the thing that struck me most was the meaning of "Never Give Up" A true hero.
Earlier in the day I was in charge of the low light handguns, my specialty, and was on pretty good too, but some of these young guys out shot the old guy!
Some of these photos make it look like we had a lot of light but that was just the flash.
My daughter got to show the big guys what a little girl with a little gun can do too. (In heels) 3" 64.
We did a little with a CT laser on a M&P 45 too.
I'm a proud daddy!
They got to play outside too!
We got to have dinner with Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Davis. The real Forest Gump. They put Tom Hanks head on Sammy's photo receiving the award from President LB Johnson.
He tells the story quite a bit different, with more detail and a few tears. It is hard to hear and not tear up. This is the official version:
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Davis (then PFc.) distinguished himself during the early morning hours while serving as a cannoneer with Battery C, at a remote fire support base. At approximately 0200 hours, the fire support base was under heavy enemy mortar attack. Simultaneously, an estimated reinforced Viet Cong battalion launched a fierce ground assault upon the fire support base. The attacking enemy drove to within 25 meters of the friendly positions. Only a river separated the Viet Cong from the fire support base. Detecting a nearby enemy position, Sgt. Davis seized a machinegun and provided covering fire for his guncrew, as they attempted to bring direct artillery fire on the enemy. Despite his efforts, an enemy recoilless rifle round scored a direct hit upon the artillery piece. The resultant blast hurled the guncrew from their weapon and blew Sgt. Davis into a foxhole. He struggled to his feet and returned to the howitzer, which was burning furiously. Ignoring repeated warning to seek cover, Sgt. Davis rammed a shell into the gun. Disregarding a withering hail of enemy fire directed against his position, he aimed and fired the howitzer which rolled backward, knocking Sgt. Davis violently to the ground. Undaunted, he returned to the weapon to fire again when an enemy mortar round exploded within 20 meters of his position, injured him painfully. Nevertheless, Sgt. Davis loaded the artillery piece, aimed and fired. Again he was knocked down by the recoil. In complete disregard for his safety, Sgt. Davis loaded and fired 3 more shells into the enemy. Disregarding his extensive injuries and his inability to swim, Sgt. Davis picked up an air mattress and struck out across the deep river to rescue 3 wounded comrades on the far side. Upon reaching the 3 wounded men, he stood upright and fired into the dense vegetation to prevent the Viet Cong from advancing. While the most seriously wounded soldier was helped across the river, Sgt. Davis protected the 2 remaining casualties until he could pull them across the river to the fire support base. Though suffering from painful wounds, he refused medical attention, joining another howitzer crew which fired at the large Viet Cong force until it broke contact and fled, Sgt. Davis extraordinary heroism, at the risk of his life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
There were 42 US soldiers being overrun by 1500 VC. He was injured and unconscious for a time and when he woke up he fought until his M-16 was empty, then as he was running out of ammo for the M-60 he thought he had died and went to soldier's hello. I will try to write some of the finer points he shared with us because I know some of you will like it. But the thing that struck me most was the meaning of "Never Give Up" A true hero.
Earlier in the day I was in charge of the low light handguns, my specialty, and was on pretty good too, but some of these young guys out shot the old guy!
Some of these photos make it look like we had a lot of light but that was just the flash.
My daughter got to show the big guys what a little girl with a little gun can do too. (In heels) 3" 64.
We did a little with a CT laser on a M&P 45 too.
I'm a proud daddy!
They got to play outside too!
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