Of the 40 million Americans who've served in combat, only 3,440 of them have been presented with the National Medal of Honor, for actions involving risk of life.

This week's "Hometown Hero" is a Quality, Kentucky native who risked his own life during the Vietnam War to ensure the safety of others.

Don Jenkins is a man of few words.

"He's a very quiet, very calm guy that doesn't like a lot of fanfare. But once you get close to him, you realize what kind of inward character he has," says Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, Les Beavers.

But it's that character...shown during the war that speaks volumes.

Then a Private First Class, Jenkins' company came under heavy fire from an enemy complex.

21-year-old Jenkins risked his life by repeatedly running and crawling through crossfire to get more ammunition and weapons for his company.

During the shootout, Jenkins was injured by shrapnel, yet still made 3 different trips to his unit and pulled wounded comrades to safety.

"It was just one of those things where you hear them hollering and you just go over and do it. You don't think about it," recalls Jenkins.

National Medal of Honor Museum curator, Patty Parks, says Jenkins is quick to downplay his heroic act.

He'll tell you right in a minute "I was doing my job. I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. I wasn't doing anything that any other soldier would have done," Parks says.

"It was hard to be there having all of those guys crying and hollering for you to come get them, to come help them," remembers Jenkins.

His unflinching act of bravery earned Jenkins the nation's highest honor.

Those who know him says the "medal of honor" couldn't go to a more deserving person.

"Don is a true hero and the courage and honor he displayed when he was young PFC in the Vietnam, we admire, " says Beavers.

"The humbleness... the extraordinary bravery. Don Jenkins epitomizes it," say Parks.

Jenkins was recently honored by the L & N Depot as a part of "National Medal of Honor Day".

He received his medal from President Richard Nixon back in 1971.

To read an excerpt of his heroic service in Vietnam
click here.