PITSBURGH -- A Kauai man who rescued a woman after she was stabbed at a Lihue mall last year is among 25 people awarded Carnegie medals today for their heroism.

Benjamin Montgomery, 32, of Koloa rescued Ping Zhou, 33, from assault after a woman stabbed her in the back with a large knife on Jan. 10, 2007.

The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Commission awarded the medals to a diverse group. Some died while trying to rescue people. Others were injured in their attempts.

Steel baron Andrew Carnegie launched the hero fund in 1904 after hearing about rescue stories from a mine disaster that killed 181 people. Since then, $30.9 million has been awarded to 9,224 people. The recipients, or their survivors, receive $6,000 in addition to the medal. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission meets five times annually to choose honorees.