Members of the Los Gatos Veterans and Support Foundation are shown April 19 at the veterans’ memorial with Sgt. Sammy Davis, a Vietnam hero who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson.
In 1967, Davis’ unit came under heavy fire and although he was seriously wounded, Davis manned a machine gun to give his fellow soldiers cover. Davis couldn’t swim due to a broken back but he also rescued three wounded Americans by crossing a river on an air mattress and kept fighting.
While in town, Davis spoke about his exploits at Fisher Middle School and Congregation Shir Hadash before being presented with a paver at the memorial.
The paver notes that Davis’ nickname is the “Real Forrest Gump,” since Tom Hanks’ head was superimposed over Davis’ head when Forrest received the Medal of Honor.
Pictured here are Dixie Davis (from left), Sgt. Sammy Davis, and foundation officers Lt. Col. Walker Pearce-Percy and Major Gen. Kent Hillhouse.
