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Army Awards Silver Star to Oahu Special Forces Soldier

CAMP SMITH (KHNL) - Master Sgt. Suran Sar put his life in the line of fire. He said he didn't do it to become a hero he did it to save the lives of his team of 15 men.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Silver Star." said Army Brigadier General David Fridovich, presenting the medal.

In a small gathering in front of his peers, Master Sgt. Suran Sar was awarded two prestigous awards, the Silver and Bronze Stars.

"You've already given so much more, than we can ever repay you."

In March, while conducting reconnaissance he and his team came under fire in the remote mountains in Paktika, in the eastern part of Afghanistan. He continued to protect his team firing back at enemy soldiers. His efforts saved the lives of his entire team. Sgt. Sar was shot in the head, but he did not receive a scratch thanks to the helmet he was wearing.

"This country give me so much, and this is such a small price to pay." said Sgt. Sar.

The Cambodian native is speaking from experience.

"I love this country more than my birth place. And you know where I'm from. I'm from Cambodia. I lost more of my family there. And nobody can tell me what's its like to loss of freedom."

Sar, who joined the army in 1985, doesn't see himself as a hero.  

"The hero is the guy in the cemetery right now. He deserves it more than I do. To the low ranking guy, when he calls for help, we all run out to help."

Sar is assigned to Special Operations Command Pacific at Camp Smith. The army has awarded only 37 Silver Stars since the war on terror began in 2001.