VICTORVILLE (CBS) — A Southland teen was honored Thursday for his role in stopping a man from strangling his own 1-year-old baby daughter and beating the child’s mother.

For his efforts, then 16-year-old Dashan White was also stabbed. And White’s bravery could have cost him his life.

The attack — and act of bravery — took place on Memorial Day weekend in 2010.

White told CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Greg Mills, that he was simply going across the street from his apartment in Victorville to get a evening snack.

White saw a man strangling his baby daughter. The man was also assaulting the baby’s mother. White intervened and ended up being stabbed. His liver and diaphragm were punctured — his recovery took months.

Today, White was given the prestigious award presented annually to someone who shows exemplary “courage.” The award given by the California District Attorney’s Association.

White told Mills “the woman thanked him numerous times and told my mom that I saved her life and her baby’s life. He saved my life, ‘Thank you, thank you.’”

You don’t have to tell White’s mother, Franshella Hopkins, that her son is a hero. “Just him acting on someone else’s behalf…someone who couldn’t help themselves really made me proud of him. And him being honored made it even better.”

Dashan’s maternal grandfather was a pilot in the Air Force and he inspired Dashan to enlist in the military. This summer, he plans on joining the Marines and eventually hopes to serve with their Special Forces. Eventually he’d like to work in law enforcement.

As a side note, Mills offers his assessment of his interview subject. “What an impressive young man. Very sharp, confident, poised and mature. I’m so happy that we got to share his heroic story!”