We all remember the Oscar-winning film "Forrest Gump."  The man based on that character is a Medal of Honor recipient and is in Hawaii this week.

His name is Sammy Davis.  His Southern drawl is real and so is his heroism and valor.

The movie "Forrest Gump" is based on a part of his life including the day he saved his brothers in war.

On Nov. 18, 1967, Davis and 41 other members of his unit were heavily outnumbered.  One-thousand five-hundred soldiers of the Viet Cong relentlessly attacked the men in the battle of Cai Lay.

"I think my brothers that didn't make it home earned it also," said Davis.  "I've always tried to wear this medal as I would believe in my heart that they would."

Just 12 American men survived that day.  David received the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson for saving at least three lives and risking his own.

"It has always inspired me to stand a little taller, be a little bit more correct, to be more forgiving, to have a little bit more love in my heart.  So, the medal has made me a better person," said Davis.

As for the movie?

"The military portion is based on fact and me and how I earned my medal," said Davis.  "The rest of the movie is movie.  It lightly, and I do express lightly, touches my life."

Davis said he was never a star running back at the University of Alabama.  And it was catfishing he did, not shrimping.