Eugene E. Banks, 25, farmhand, rescued Myron H. Schlung, 24, military airplane pilot, from burning, Irvine, California, June 19, 1953. An airplane Schlung was flying developed engine trouble and crashed upright in a field. One wing section was sheared off, and the nose of the airplane was torn loose. Dense flames enveloped the cockpit and rose about four feet above the ground for a radius of 10 feet. Schlung, who was injured, could not unfasten his safety belt. Banks ran 300 feet to the airplane, climbed onto the intact wing section, and advanced to the cockpit. Heat was blistering. The flames had consumed much of Schlung’s clothing and burned through his safety belt. As Banks took hold of Schlung and began lifting him from the cockpit, there was a muffled explosion inside the fuselage; and the flames increased in intensity, attaining a height of eight feet. Banks drew Schlung to the wing, stepped to the ground, and carried him clear of the airplane. Schlung was burned severely and died eight hours later. Banks suffered bums of the hands and forearms which healed. 42935-3928
42935 – 3928
42935-3928