U.S. Army veteran Sgt. Sammy Lee Davis plays "Oh Shenandoah" on a harmonica his mother had sent him when he was on tour in Vietnam in 1967 during a presentation to students at West Aurora High School, Tuesday, February 19, 2013. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media
U.S. Army veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Lee Davis is greeted by students after he game a presentation about his tour in Vietnam in 1967 at West Aurora High School, Tuesday, February 19, 2013. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media
U.S. Army veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Lee Davis talks with Pearl Harbor survivor John Terrell after a presentation to students at West Aurora High School, Tuesday, February 19, 2013. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media
U.S. Army veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Lee Davis talks about his tour in Vietnam during 1967 during a presentation to students at West Aurora High School, Tuesday, February 19, 2013. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media
West Aurora principal Rudy Keller (left), talks with veteran Bob Crowther and retired Lt. General Randall Rigby before a presentation to students by Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Lee Davis at West Aurora High School, Tuesday, February 19, 2013. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media
U.S. Army veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Lee Davis talks about his tour in Vietnam during 1967 during a presentation to students at West Aurora High School, Tuesday, February 19, 2013. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media
During their gym period, students help take down a giant U.S. flag after a during a presentation by Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Lee Davis at West Aurora High School, Tuesday, February 19, 2013. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media
AURORA — War was hell for Pfc. Sammy Lee Davis. On Nov. 18, 1967, the cannoneer held a Viet Cong attack force at bay by operating a damaged howitzer while under heavy fire, then crossed a river into enemy territory twice to rescue wounded U.S. …
