An American war hero was awarded the Silver Star Medal on Thursday.

Vietnam veteran Kenneth G. Hughes of St. Paul was nominated for the honor by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar after she was contacted by Hughes’ cousin.

Hughes was a combat medic for the Army during the war. At one point in 1969, his unit was overrun and he treated the wounded until being shot in his left forearm.

He continued to treat as many of his fellow soldiers as he could, using only his right hand, until he was shot through his right shoulder joint, which caused his lung to deflate.

When treated for his injuries, he refused morphine so that he could relay instructions to his fellow soldiers about how to treat the wounded.

The Silver Star Medal is the United States’ third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces.

Hughes is now a family practitioner with Health Partners.