James F. Collins, Jr., rescued Charles G. Roehrick and Raymond L. Blauvelt from burning, San Diego, California, June 16, 1947. While Navy seamen Roehrick, 21, and Blauvelt, 20, were riding in the luggage compartment of an automobile driven by Collins, 23, mechanic, the automobile was struck from behind by another automobile. The gasoline tank of Collins’ automobile exploded; and burning gasoline sprayed into the compartment, the lid of which was braced open. Collins stopped his automobile, jumped out, and ran to the compartment. Flames two and a half feet high rose from the pavement beneath the tank and extended out six feet from the underside of the compartment lid. Shielding his face, Collins took hold of Roehrick, who had got his head and shoulders out of the compartment; pulled him out; and dragged him clear of the flames as he became unconscious. After being once driven back by the flames, Collins again ran to the compartment; got hold of Blauvelt, who lay motionless; pulled him out; and dragged him beyond the flames. Blauvelt later died of burns. Roehrick sustained serious burns causing partial disablement. Collins’ clothing was burned in places, and he sustained burns on his head and an arm which healed in six weeks. 41291-3579
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