Was Gomer the inspiration for Forest Gump?

I always thought Forrest Gump was sort of like the big screen version of Gomer Pyle. If you really think about it, Gomer and Gump did have a lot in common. Forrest kept finding himself in very important positions and meeting all sorts of types and Gomer did the same. Gomer went to the White House and saw the President among other things. Gomer would some how come out on top even if it looked like he was going to be in huge trouble. It was as if his "dumbness" made him lucky or something. Even in "Forrest Gump" the filmmakers do give a little nod to Pyle by showing him on TV.

I wouldn't say Gomer has low intelligence. Putting aside his role in TAGS for the moment, He's come from a small town, to a marine base wedged between two large cities. I'd say he's more naive, look at all the times he's taken people, obviously exploiting his naivety, at face value. He's never said anything like "My name is Gomer Pyle. People call me Gomer Pyle." or shown any low-intelligence traits like Forrest Gump has throughout that movie. In fact, compared to Carter, Hacker, etc, he often appears to be more intelligent - look at all the times that Carter has almost lost a bet with Hacker, only for Gomer to save the day - not using any under-handed tactics, but just playing by the rules and using honesty - likely something he was brought up to do in Mayberry.

Plus, I know of a fair few people that have entered the armed services, that either do idiotic things well into their twenties, or otherwise show signs of low intelligence, and they'll do anything to get the upper hand, unlike Gomer :P

I don't know about Forrest Gump. But the "Full Metal Jacket" character Private Leonard Lawrence was nicknamed "Gomer Pyle".