Slain Fort Campbell Soldier to get Silver Star

The family of a Fort Campbell-based combat medic killed in combat in Afghanistan is set to receive a Silver Star on his behalf on Friday.

The U.S. Army awarded the honor to 25-year-old Spc. Shannon Chihuahua of Thomasville, Ga., who died Nov. 12, 2010, during an attack in Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan. The Army says Chihuahua placed his own safety second to that of his fellow soldiers as insurgents fired small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

Chihuahua was a combat medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. He joined the Army in July 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in July 2009.

A Silver Star is the third highest military decoration for valor granted by the military.