A Vietnam veteran from Bethpage who was killed in action was honored Saturday with a bronze statue outside the American Legion Post in Levittown.

It was 51 years ago that Medal of Honor recipient 1st Lieutenant Stephen Karopczyc was shot above the heart in battle. He refused aid and kept going. He died trying to keep a grenade from exploding on his injured comrades. Karopczyc was only 23 years old.

Karopczyc's younger brother Walter was in Levittown for the statue’s unveiling.

"Hold on to the traditions and the values that my brother exhibited and spent his life honoring and preserving," said Karopczyc. "We appreciate the fact that his memory continues. We hope that this is an inspiration to the community and we greatly appreciate their effort."

Officials at the American Legion told News 12 there is also a plaque at the Bethpage train station in his honor Stephen Karopczyc’s honor.