Claud Elder Pulliam saved John H. Kelly and attempted to save William C. Deal, Jr., from an impending explosion, Seale, Alabama, November 21, 1979. A helicopter containing Kelly, Deal, and Pulliam crashed and flames broke out around the fuel tanks. Pulliam, 32, aircraft engine mechanic, got out but then, hearing Kelly, 34, calling for help, ran back to the wreckage. He reached into an opening in the cockpit, freed Kelly, and removed him. As the flames increased, Pulliam returned to the helicopter and twice entered the cockpit fully to aid Deal, 46, who was badly injured and either unconscious or dead. Pulliam was still inside attempting to free Deal when flames broke through into the cockpit. Intolerable heat forced Pulliam to flee. He had gone only 30 feet from the helicopter when the fuel tanks exploded. 57505-6529
57505 – 6529
57505-6529