Edward Blondell, III

Edward Blondell III saved Kenneth D. Loveless from burning, Mineral Wells, Texas, January 17, 1962. When the engine of his helicopter failed and the craft plunged 175 feet to the ground, Loveless, 23, Army lieutenant, sustained severe injuries. The helicopter toppled onto its side, and gasoline leaked from the ruptured fuel tank, which contained about 50 gallons of fuel. Loveless freed himself from his seat but then, in severe pain, slumped inside the bubble-type cabin. Flames appeared at the engine, which was behind the cabin and above the fuel tank. Blondell, 28, civilian flight instructor, arrived in another helicopter and noted flames rising four to five feet around the engine. Blondell landed and ran 150 feet to the front of the wrecked helicopter. Through a jagged break in the windshield, he extended his upper body into the cabin, above which the flames rose two feet. Blondell took hold of Loveless, who weighed nearly as much as he, and drew him from the helicopter, straining his back. With difficulty he partially carried Loveless 12 feet from the burning aircraft and then fell to the ground. By that time flames had engulfed the cabin. Fearing an explosion, Blondell dragged and carried Loveless 75 feet farther away. By then the entire helicopter was covered by flames 10 feet high. Others put out the flames. Loveless was hospitalized three weeks.