HEROES:MOH Recipient Sammy Lee Davis Traditional Cache
HEROES:MOH Recipient Sammy Lee Davis
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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While caching this summer across the U.S. we discovered a
“Power Cache” series in Nevada. There were 120 caches
placed along a dirt road and they were close enough for us to log
100 caches in one day! It was a real thrill to log so many caches
in one day… so we would like to give all of you the
opportunity to do the same.
We thought it would be nice to put these caches out for Veterans
Day, so we chose 100 of the 246 Medal of Honor Recipients from the
Vietnam War, and each one of the caches will honor one of these
American Heroes. Of the 246 MOH Recipients from the Vietnam War 63%
were awarded posthumously. ( ** Represents MOH Awarded
Posthumously) Please take the time to read the citation for each
and remember them this Veterans Day.
HAVE FUN!!
Sammy Lee Davis
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.
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Treasures
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