Nearly everyone can quote a line from the epic film, "Forrest Gump." "Life is like a box of chocolates." "Stupid is as stupid does." "Run, Forrest, Run."
Though Sammy Davis didn't coin any of those phrases, he played a central role in the 1994 film, which starred Tom Hanks and has maintained its relevance today as a staple offering on cable. Davis, who served as inspiration for much of the fictional Gump's military story line, is the keynote speaker for Saturday's National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History annual fundraiser here.
Sammy DavisIf you go
* Who: Sgt. Sammy Davis, Medal of Honor recipient, whose military action inspired parts of "Forrest Gump." * What: National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History annual fundraiser and banquet. * When: 6 p.m. Saturday * Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza * Tickets: Dinner tickets are available for $75 each. Purchase them at mohm.org or visit the museum in Northgate Mall
Davis received a Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, for his 1967 service in Vietnam. Filmmakers used actual footage from President Lyndon Johnson's presentation of the medal to Davis, but swapped out his head for Tom Hanks'.
"That is actually me," Davis said. "They just put Tom Hanks' face over mine. If it has to do with the military, it's based on fact, it's based on me."
While operating a 105 mm howitzer that fired 18,000 beehive darts in each shell, Davis and his unit were blasted by enemy fire. Davis was blown sideways and into a foxhole just west of Cai Lai, according to military.com, the nation's largest military and veteran membership organization. Though badly wounded, Davis continued firing until he was out of ammunition. After hearing calls for help across the river, he paddled across on an air mattress, unable to swim because of his injuries. He rescued three fellow soldiers, refused medical treatment for himself and continued fighting.
Davis has also been awarded a Purple Heart, a Silver Heart and a National Defense Service Medal, among other honors.
Just like Hanks' character, Davis was shot in the buttocks during combat. And there are other parallels between his life and the film. Davis did have a friend whose legs were blown off in combat -- he became known as the grumpy Lt. Dan on screen. Just like in the movie, his friend overcame bitterness and resentment after his injuries.
Davis was originally nervous when the Pentagon told him his story was being weaved into the film. He had read the 1986 novel by Winston Groom, which was much darker than the feel-good film. But he was pleasantly surprised by the movie.
"It's on all the time," Davis said. "Every time you watch it you see something a little different in it that you didn't see before."
Jim Wade, executive director of the National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History, said the group is honored to have any Medal of Honor recipient speak. There are only 79 living recipients. Most earned their medals for service in Vietnam. Along with the usual crowd of veterans and military supporters, Wade expects some newcomers may be drawn to Davis' story.
"We thought [he] would be a very interesting speaker for those veterans who have served in Vietnam," Wade said. "Secondly, everyone is familiar with the movie "Forrest Gump."
And Wade expects many people have no idea the far-fetched story of Forrest Gump is based in truth, at least some truth.
"In the Medal of Honor community, people know," he said. "But I don't think John Q. Public has any idea."
Contact staff writer Kevin Hardy at khardy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.