Spencer Stone, the U.S. airman hailed as a hero for helping to foil a terror attack on a French train, was promoted from Airman 1st Class to Staff Sergeant during a Friday ceremony.
The promotion officially goes into effect Sunday, Air Force officials told NBC News, and the 23-year-old earned the distinction for his leadership and courage that he showed during heroic actions in August.
Stone and two childhood friends subdued a gunman who opened fire on a Paris-bound train. Stone was stabbed with a box cutter several times during the mayhem. He, along with friends Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler, received France's Legion d'Honneur for their bravery.
