Braving gunfire from insurgents, Sgt. Israel "Ira" Garcia of Long Beach and three other soldiers were killed last year in Afghanistan trying to provide first aid and backup to injured comrades.
Israel, who died in July 2008 at age 24, will posthumously receive the Silver Star at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.
Garcia, a Poly High School graduate, was on his third tour of duty with his is unit, the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
"He's a true fallen hero," his sister-in-law, Hilda Revolorio, told the Press-Telegram after he was killed. "He fought for this country."
The Silver Star is the third-highest award for valor.
