Jimmy “The Cowboy” Johnson, a 70-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is being hailed as a hero after he rushed into a burning building to save a man in Norristown, writes Steve Marroni for the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

After noticing smoke coming from a home on Monday morning, Johnson called 911 and then looked for ways to help.

According to the Norristown Fire Department, he kicked the door open with the help of several neighborhood kids and started yelling for everybody inside to get out.

When he learned that there was somebody on the second floor, he ran in to help.

He grabbed the man around his waist and brought him outside. Once there, they used blankets to put out the flames on the injured man who was then flown to a Philadelphia trauma center for treatment.

The fire department credits Johnson with saving the man, but the modest veteran said it was just instinct that kicked in.

That evening, Johnson was presented with a certificate for his heroism by Magistrate Judge Gregory Scott, who is also a firefighter.

“I appreciate you so much,” said Scott.

Read more about the veteran at the Harrisburg Patriot-News by clicking here.