Harold L. Shelton, Jr., rescued Elmer A. Smith from burning, La Porte, Indiana, August 26, 1985. Smith, 53, lay on the floor of his apartment’s living room after fire broke out in the couch. Alerted to the fire, Shelton,, 28, carpenter, ran to the apartment and forced entry. Despite intense heat and thick smoke that extended to within a foot of the floor, Shelton dropped to his stomach and crawled inside. He heard Smith moaning and crawled to him, having to push aside burning furniture before he could locate him. Shelton grasped Smith, then crawled backward, pulling Smith, out of the apartment and extinguished the flames on him. Smith died of his severe burns a month later. 60640-7055
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