ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WNCN) — A Rocky Mount man was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War. U.S. Army Capt. Hugh Reavis Nelson Jr. received the military's highest honor from President Joe Biden Friday. Born on July 11, 1937, Nelson was a native of Rocky Mount. He graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. and had three children with his wife. During the Vietnam War, he was a member of the 114th Aviation Company and worked as the acting aircraft commander of a Huey helicopter on search-and-destroy reconnaissance missions. Hillary Clinton, George Soros and Denzel Washington will receive the highest US civilian honor Six months into his service, Nelson was killed in action on June 5, 1966, after his helicopter was shot down over South Vietnam. Nelson rescued two members of his flight crew and used his body to shield another, saving his life. Prior to being awarded the Medal of Honor, Nelson had posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross. "Captain Nelson was a true American hero whose unwavering courage and selfless service embody the very best of our state and nation," Sen. Thom Tillis said in a statement. "My office worked closely with the Nelson family to advocate for Capt. Nelson, urging President Biden to upgrade his Distinguished Service Cross to the Medal of Honor — the United States Armed Forces' highest and most prestigious military award."