Spartanburg, S.C. – Wofford College will host a lecture by Sammy Davis, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who inspired parts of the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump,” on October 19 at 6 p.m. Davis will speak about duty, honor and country.
Davis’ talk is the latest installment in the Hipp Lecture Series on International Affairs and National Security, established and funded by Van Hipp ’82, chairman of American Defense International.
Event details
Date: Monday, October 19
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Leonard Auditorium, Main Building, Wofford College
Admission: Free and open to the public
There will be a Q&A with the audience following Davis’ talk, and attendees are invited to a reception immediately following the event.
For questions about accessible seating and entrance to the building, contact Amanda Gilman, special assistant to the president and campus events management coordinator, at gilmanaf@wofford.edu. Media interested in covering the talk and/or speaking with Davis at the event should contact Jake Crouse, director of communications, at crousejw@wofford.edu.
"Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Davis is an American patriot and hero,” Hipp says. “His heroics in Vietnam, including crossing a river with a broken back in order to rescue wounded American soldiers and then continuing the fight, helped inspire the movie, ‘Forrest Gump.’ We are honored to have this living legend on campus."
About Sammy Davis
Sammy Davis received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 for actions he took to save the lives of American soldiers during the Vietnam War. On Nov. 18, 1967, Davis was injured during a mortar attack by Viet Cong forces, but he continued to provide cover for his gun crew and rescue three wounded Americans from a river on the battlefield. He received the Medal of Honor “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty,” according to his citation. He continued to serve in the Army until 1984, retiring as sergeant first class.
Davis is known as “the real Forrest Gump,” as his Medal of Honor citation inspired some of the events in the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump” and footage of his pinning ceremony with President Johnson was used in the movie. He has continued to advocate for veterans and memorialize those who died in combat in the decades following his service. Davis wrote the book “You Don't Lose 'Til You Quit Trying: Lessons on Adversity and Victory from a Vietnam Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient,” which was published in 2016.
About the Hipp Lecture Series on International Affairs and National Security
The Hipp Lecture Series on International Affairs and National Security is part of the Hipp Center for National Security and Foreign Policy. It was founded in 2011 to create signature events at Wofford College with the goal of capturing the attention of students and the public while drawing them into important conversations on applying American leadership and ideals to the challenges of international affairs past, present and future. The lecture series is made possible through the generous donations of Wofford alumnus Van D. Hipp Jr., class of 1982, chairman of American Defense International Inc., a Washington D.C.-based consulting firm specializing in government affairs, business development and public relations. Hipp is a former deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Army.
About Wofford College
Wofford College, established in 1854, is a four-year, residential liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The college is nationally known for its outstanding faculty, study abroad participation, successful and supportive graduates and commitment to making college affordable and accessible; 99% of students receive some form of financial assistance. The college’s 195-acre campus, located within walking distance of Spartanburg’s thriving downtown, is home to about 1,800 undergraduates. In addition to a rigorous academic program and experiential learning opportunities (study abroad, career preparation, research and community-based learning), Wofford students enjoy Division I athletics, fraternity and sorority life and a creative visual and performing arts scene. To learn more, visit wofford.edu.