BAY VILLAGE, Ohio - Four decades after he fought and died in Vietnam, a Bay Village soldier was honored for his bravery.

Bay Village High School classmates and fellow servicemen held a memorial service on Saturday for Sgt. Kenton Henninger.

The idea for the services came to light while classmates were making plans for their 45th reunion.

"We never had a chance to say thank you to our only classmate who died in Vietnam," explains Lynnie McPhee.

McPhee says she called classmate Jack Kostak, who also served in Vietnam. Kostak was able to contact fellow soldiers who served in Henninger's platoon, including platoon leader Pat O'Connor.

"It's been 41 years since [Sgt. Henninger] was taken from us, but the memories are as fresh as if it were yesterday," O'Connor explained to an audience of hundreds of classmates and veterans in Cahoon Park Saturday. "Ken was just that special a person that you would risk your own life for him, even if you didn't have to."

It was March 6, 1969, when Henninger's squad came under intense enemy fire in the Chu Prong mountain region of Vietnam.

Classmate and fellow Vietnam Veteran Bob Lucas explains the events that followed.

"Despite his wounds and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, [Sgt. Henninger] continued to expose himself to enemy fire in an attempt to draw fire away from his squad, and was mortally wounded."

The act of bravery earned Henninger the silver star--a rare and prestigious honor.

As part of the memorial services Saturday, Henninger's cousin donated the medal to the Bay Village historical society.

"It's priceless. It is from one of your sons here in Bay Village, and it's found the right home," Bill Pappenbrock told the crowd, through tears.

As part of her address during the services, Mayor Deborah Sutherland declared July 17 as Kenton Henninger Day in the city of Bay Village.