Gerardo Chao helped to save Earl W. Morton from suffocation, Port Tampa, Florida, March 29, 1945. While descending a stairway that extended from the deck of a tank-ship to the floor of the pump room 26 feet below, Morton, 32, was overcome by fumes of high octane gasoline at a point 14 feet below the deck. Becoming rigid, he stood holding to a handrail. The pump room contained water eight feet deep on which gasoline leaked from other compartments, and the fumes were strong. Having completed some work below Morton, another man ascended the stairway, passing Morton but not realizing his condition. On deck, he saw Morton still standing and descended the stairway and tried to lift him but could not break his hold on the rail. He called for help, and Chao, 27, rigger, descended from the deck, grasped Morton’s arm, and, as the other man lifted, tried to break Morton’s hold. He then kicked Morton’s forearm three times, breaking the hold. Chao and the other man carried Morton up to a landing eight feet below the deck. While they maneuvered Morton with difficulty at the landing, another workman descended from the deck and helped them carry him. Near the top, Chao became dizzy, released Morton, stumbled on to the deck, and collapsed. The other men half-carried and half-dragged Morton to the deck, where he was revived. Chao was delirious for 10 minutes. 40438-3466
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40438-3466