Jim Greenwalt of Rockwall, Texas, a former U.S. Army sergeant, helped to prevent a surprise attack by Viet Cong, the Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday.

"I fired at muzzle flashes, sounds, any movement," Greenwalt said, recalling the violence that repelled a Viet Cong attack.

Greenwalt's bravery on Jan. 30, 1970, was remembered at a ceremony at Fort Hood, in central Texas, after a paperwork snafu delayed the honor.

The U.S. Army has awarded more than 170,000 Bronze Stars for bravery during the Vietnam War and another 550,000 for meritorious service.

Greenwalt, 63, is an economic development specialist for the city of Dallas.

"I never expected to get anything for this," he said last week. "I never thought about it being anything extraordinary or special."