American soldier of Armenian origin will be posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroic actions in Afghanistan.

Capt. Matt Manoukian, 29, was shot dead with two other Marines in August 2012.

Captains Manoukian and Staff Sgt. R. Mote will be the15th and 16th U.S. Marines in Marine Corps history to receive prestigious award, nbcsandiego.com reported.

The Navy officials said Manoukian saved his Marines by exposing himself to fire and engaging the enemy.