Published: March 4, 2009

John O'Boyle/The Star-LedgerTerrence Kelsor
of Newark talks with Port Authority Executive Director
Susan Bass Levin and Newark Mayor Cory Booker
inside Newark City Hall.

A Newark resident credited with pulling an inebriated straphanger off the tracks ahead of an oncoming PATH train is the latest recipient of the city's medal of honor.

Mayor Cory Booker recognized 54-year-old Terrence Kelsor as "Newark's hero" during a City Hall ceremony today.

The security guard was working at Manhattan's Christopher Street station Friday night when the stranger tumbled onto the tracks.

Kelsor, who weighs about 170 pounds, said he pulled the 250-pound man onto the platform by the shirt as a train barreled into the station.

Newark last presented its medal of honor in April 2008 when a taxi driver was recognized for returning a $4 million violin to a passenger who accidentally left it behind.