EL PASO, Texas -- A Fort Bliss soldier has joined an elite class.

Master Sgt. Eric Geressy now proudly wears the Silver Star, but what made this day even more special is who pinned it on.

"This is probably the highlight of my life," said Mitchell Rech.

With a pin and a hug, two generations of soldiers became connected forever.

"I know that these young boys and young ladies are going through hell over there," Rech said.

Rech served in World War II and now bestows upon his grandson the Army's third highest honor: the Silver Star.

"The action actually took place a year ago yesterday," Rech said.

During that mission in Iraq, Geressy bravely led his company under fire from enemy forces. They lost one of their own but in the end killed 18 al-Qaida fighters.

"The good part for me was not for personal recognition,” he said. “It was more for they recognized what our company did that day and how bravely the soldiers fought that day.”

Friday, Geressy became only the 549th U.S. soldier to receive the award.

"He's dedicated. He's a dedicated soldier,” said his mother, Mary Ann Geressy. “Dedicated to the Army, to his men, to his friends, to his relatives. He is a stand-up act."

A grandfather honored his grandson, but if it were his way, he would have been in combat right next to him.

"Oh, hell yes, at the drop of a hat,” joked Rech. “After 9/11 jokingly I said, 'I'm going down to the recruiting office and signing up.'"

"Genuine World War II. To me he's a real hero," said Geressy.

And to his mother, who thought he'd never cut it in the Army, he said, "I got egg on my face, don't I?"

Geressy is now a student at the U.S. Army sergeants major academy at Fort Bliss.

Also attending Friday's ceremony was his former battalion commander, Col. Mike Steel of the famous Black Hawk Down mission.