05/23/2022
FOS Co-Founder, Jim Houck, pictured with Mr. Sammy L. Davis, Medal of Honor recipient, at Shot Show.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Sgt. Davis (then Pfc.) distinguished himself while serving as a cannoneer with Battery C at a remote fire-support base. At approximately 0200 the fire-support base came under heavy enemy mortar attack. Simultaneously, an estimated 1,500 Viet Cong launched a massive ground assault. The enemy drove to within 25 meters of the American position. Only a river separated the Viet Cong from the fire-support base. Sgt. Davis seized a machine gun and provided covering fire for his gun crew as they attempted to bring direct artillery fire on the enemy. An enemy recoilless-rifle round scored a direct hit on the artillery piece. The blast hurled the gun crew from the weapon and blew Sgt. Davis into a foxhole. He fought his way back to the howitzer, which was now burning. Sgt. Davis loaded and fired the howitzer, which recoiled backward, knocking Sgt. Davis violently to the ground. He returned to the howitzer as an enemy mortar round exploded within 20 meters of his position, injuring him severely. Sgt. Davis then loaded the howitzer, aimed and fired. Again he was knocked down by the recoil. Sgt. Davis loaded and fired three more shells into the enemy ranks. Disregarding his extensive injuries and his inability to swim, Sgt. Davis next picked up an air mattress and paddled across the deep river to rescue three wounded brothers on the far side. Upon reaching the three wounded men, he stood upright, despite is considerable injuries, 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 two remaining casualties until he could pull them across the river to the fire support base. Though suffering from numerous severe wounds, he refused medical, 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, is in keeping with the highest traditions.
