A soldier who served in Cambodia in 1970 will be posthumously awarded with the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor.

President Barack Obama will posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Army Spc. Leslie H.Sabo Jr., who is being recognized for service in Cambodia in 1970, based on an announcement made by the White House on Monday.

Army Spc. Leslie H.Sabo Jr. is being awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions in combat, while he was serving as a rifleman in Company D, 3d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Divison, in Se San, Cambodia, on May 10, 1970. His widow, Rose Mary Sabo-Brown, and his brother, George Sabo, will attend the ceremony at the White House.

Sabo had charged the enemy after his platoon was ambushed. His actions led to the killing of several enemy soldiers, as well as drew fire away from his platoon. This eventually forced the enemy to retreat.

As a re-supply of ammunition was being secured, a grenade landed nearby. Sabo threw the grenade and used his body as a shield, saving the life of a wounded comrade.

Despite his wounds, Sabo continued to charge the enemy bunker, and became at the receiving end of automatic weapons fire. He crawled towards the enemy emplacement and hurled a grenade into the bunker; this stopped enemy fire, but also killed Sabo.

His courageous actions as well as disregard for his own safety in performing his duties to his country saved the lives of many of his comrades, actions that certainly merit the Medal of Honor.