From real life action to action figure, a heroic account of a local soldier who faced death to save fellow troops.

The Army has chosen Sergeant Groff for a prestigious honor that he shares with only eight other soldiers nationwide. He is now one of "America's Army Real Heroes" and has an action figure to prove it.

And here's his story... In 2004 Sergeant First Class Robert Groff was called to active duty to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On April ninth, he and about 50 other soldiers and civilian drivers set out on an 80 mile drive through Iraq.

Groff recalls,"We was on a fuel convoy from camp Anaconda...we was headed south to Baghdad International Airport."

The vehicles were carrying more than one hundred thousand gallons of fuel...when the uneventful trip took a turn for the worst.

Groff explains "we came under attack by an estimated force of 250 insurgents."

He returned fire from the window of his vehicle and was told to keep going. He stated "as I was going through the ambush site, I stopped my vehicle to help soldiers who were hurt or wounded."

And Groff was able to get eight men to safety. Upon his return to the states, he was awarded the Bronze medal with Valor for his actions in Iraq. Groff humbly accepted though, as he says, "personally I feel I'm a soldier doing my job and doing the best I can."

The sergeant was later told he has been selected for The "America's Army Real Heroes" program...and with it came several perks. He stated "It's a great honor to be put into an action figure, and have my trading card, and I get to go out and talk to young people."

But Sergeant Groff says he's humbled by the whole experience. Again...Out of one-point-two million men and women who serve in the U-S Army, he is one of a select few who have been honored. Sergeant Groff now works as an Army Recruitment Officer here in East Peoria.