Note to readers

I have not been posting as much as usual the last couple of months because I've been stringing beads, getting ready for a huge party with the Nam Knights, Orlando Chapter. There is going to be a dedication ceremony for a memorial built at the club house. We're expecting about 500 to attend because it is also Bike Week. Since my husband is a member, the wives are called, Lady of the Knight. Being a Chaplain makes this term really funny when you think about it in today's terms instead of the days to chivalry, lords and ladies.

I've been involved with many groups over the years but I have to tell you that I've never been more happy to be associated with a group the way I am with the Nam Knights. They are all extremely caring people, deeply committed to each other and the people who served this nation as well as those who serve it today. Each Saturday at 7:00 they toast the troops. Many of these people have kids in the military and have known the sacrifices of service themselves.

One of the things I'm looking forward to on the 28th of February is that Sammy Davis will be there for the dedication. He is also a Nam Knight, but he holds the Medal of Honor. He is one of 60 surviving Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam. It will be a tremendous honor to meet him. While to me they are all heroes, Sammy Davis is even more rare.

You can watch the video with Sammy doing an interview, read this citation and below.

After this weekend, I'm getting back to work on this blog and web site. I'm also doing a new video that has been put on hold for now.





Surviving Recipients
by conflict:

World War II - 24
Korea - 14
Vietnam - 60


DAVIS, SAMMY L.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Battery C, 2d Battalion, 4th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: West of Cai Lay, Republic of Vietnam, 18 November 1967. Entered service at: Indianapolis, Ind. Born: 1 November 1946, Dayton, Ohio.

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 machine gun 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 warnings 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, injuring 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.
http://www.cmohs.org/recipients/living_cites_d.htm