INDIANAPOLIS -- A Vietnam veteran who helped inspire the story of Forrest Gump was awarded Indiana’s highest honor on Monday.
Governor Eric Holcomb presented Sammy Lee Davis of Freedom with the 2018 Sachem Award.
Davis was wounded when his unit came under fire in South Vietnam in 1967 but he used a burning artillery piece to return fire.
Davis then used an air mattress to cross a river and rescue other wounded troops before joining another unit to continue fighting.
READ | Eva Mozes Kor awarded Indiana's Sachem Award
Davis also broke his back while serving, but continued to serve until 1984.
He’s received multiple awards and honors including the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Last year's Sachem Award winner was Holocaust survivor, Eva Mozes Kor.
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