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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The American Red Cross is honoring some "Hometown Heroes." They're people and organizations who exemplify courage, kindness, and unselfish character.

March 29, 2012 is a day that will forever stick out in SSG (Ret.) Donald Sutton's mind.

"I was coming down Bandley Road, and to me it looked like the truck was going to come through the guardrail on me," Sutton said.

Sutton watched as a semi-truck on I-25 swerved to miss an accident. The truck then went crashing into the guardrail, pinning the driver inside.

"I slowed down and at that point I noticed that the passenger side of the truck was already starting to start on fire and I heard the driver yelling for help," Sutton said.

Without hesitation Sutton ran towards the flames.

"Somebody was crying for help. I couldn't just walk away from somebody asking for help," Sutton said.

"He's a trained mechanic. So nobody would think that a trained mechanic would have the capability of doing something like that," CSM Doug Maddi said. "You know a lot of people call it guts, that's a good word to call it, like I said I call it valor."

Sutton reached into the burning truck and pulled the driver to safety while putting his own life at risk.

"He's medically hurt. He's getting ready to medically retire out of the army. He had no business doing that, and that's what really makes me so proud to serve with him and to know him," Maddi said.

Sutton credits his military background with helping to prepare him for life's unexpected situations.

"To me it was just second nature to go in and do what I had to do to help him out," he said.

Sutton's actions made his country proud but those who serve with him said his actions were above and beyond the call of duty.

"Not everybody, even not every soldier or service member would do what he did. So I'm very proud to know him. I'm very proud to be a member of the community with him and like I said I'm very proud to have served with him," Maddi said.

Sutton received the Army Safety Guardian Award for his actions that day.

Hometown Heroes will get their awards March 21, at the Antler's Hilton.

Information and tickets can be found at pparc.org