On the 65th anniversary of D-Day, a crowd gathered on the campus of Texas A&M University to honor a soldier for his courage in Afghanistan.

Rodney and Darla Hutchinson couldn't be more proud of their son, Spc. David Hutchinson, who was deployed a year overseas.

"We're just so proud of everything he's done in his service while he was over there," says Darla Hutchinson.

The 22-year-old Brenham native, is the fifth person in U.S. Army Reserve history to be awarded The Silver Star. The nation's third highest award for combat valor, was awarded to Spc. Hutchinson, because of his actions when his convoy was ambushed by insurgents.

On May 21, 2008, Hutchinson, made a decision that ultimately saved the lives of and 17 of his fellow soldiers.The military says Hutchinson used his machine gun to decisively wipe out sniper nests, with disregard for his own safety.Despite having severe shrapnel wounds to his legs, the army says Hutchinson treated another soldier in his jeep who was worse off-and made sure that soldier received treatment first.

Though its hard for Spc. Justin James to remember all the details of the attack last May, he can recall, how Spc. Hutchinson saved his life.

"If it wasn't for him then we all would've been severely injured or possibly killed" says Specialist Justin James.

Colonel Jerry Hince served 31 years in the U.S. Army, and is now a part of the 159th American Legion. She helped send 504 care packages overseas to the 420th brigade, and is humbled to have the opportunity to witness Specialist Hutchinson get such high recognition.

"He's part of yet another generation who is giving everything for their country" says former U.S. Army Reservist, Col. Jerry Hince.

Spc. Hutchinson says he now looks at life differently, since serving overseas, and now has a new appreciation his life and country.

"Friends and family they're very important to me now. Not that they weren't before, but it's a real big deal. Material things in my life aren't as big of a factor anymore "says Spc. David Hutchinson.

And now he's getting the admiration of a retired colonel, among many others.

"He is a hero. He is a bonafide American hero" says Col. Hince.