Delbert Chance helped to rescue Gary D. Speer from burning, Guthrie, Texas, October 12, 1966. Speer, 21, airman, U. S. Air Force, was a member of the crew of a cargo plane that crashed at night in flat country, landing on its belly and sustaining heavy damage. Fire broke out at the front end, where fuel tanks were suspended under the wings. Additional fuel was carried in the tail, and the cargo included flammable material. Chance, 43, truck driver, and others saw the flames, drove to the area, and made their way to near the wreckage. Flames at the front end of the aircraft then rose as much as 20 feet, and flames inside could be seen through openings in the fuselage. Chance heard groans and, using a flashlight, located Speer at a hole which had been torn in the fuselage just behind the wing. Speer’s upper body was outside, but he was pinned by a piece of sheet metal debris and his legs were in the flames within the aircraft. Chance called for assistance, and was joined by Jimmy Dool, Clifford A. Kolb, and Carol J. Brazee, Sr. Handing the flashlight to Brazee, Chance tried without success to pull Speer from the plane. Chance then lifted the piece of debris and shouted to the others to remove Speer. While Brazee held the flashlight on Speer, Dool and Kolb took hold of him and pulled him out of the plane. Chance and Brazee then also took hold of Speer and aided the others in carrying him away from the plane. Speer was hospitalized for severe burns which necessitated the amputation of his legs. 49900-5399
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