James Martin Wilson helped to rescue Emanuel A. Vollweiler and Edward J. Walker from burning, Pearson, Georgia, April 2, 1942. An airplane, in which Vollweiler, 26, aerial gunner, and Walker, 26, airplane pilot, were riding, fell to the ground and was badly damaged. Fire broke out on one wing; and gasoline burned on the ground, flames rising 12 feet. Walker was thrown clear and lay unconscious on the ground near the fuselage and the burning wing. Vollweiler was strapped to a seat in a compartment and was unconscious. Machine-gun cartridges lay on the bottom of the compartment, and others were near the fire. Wilson, 21, farmer, John Edward May, and Elmon Vickers ran to the airplane. May and Wilson entered Vollweiler’s compartment through a break in the side and began to cut the straps to free him. Some cartridges exploded 15 feet from the men, and they were frightened but were urged by Vickers to continue. In five minutes they freed Vollweiler; and aided by Vickers, they got him out and carried him away from the airplane. Wilson and May again ran to the airplane and discovered Walker on the ground. They unbuckled straps and freed him from a seat and a parachute in two to three minutes. Meanwhile some more cartridges exploded six feet from them. They dragged Walker 20 feet from the airplane; and an oxygen tank exploded, scattering fire over a wider area. Cartridges exploded in rapid succession, and Wilson and May dropped Walker and ran 30 feet. They immediately returned to Walker, cartridges continuing to explode, and dragged him 60 feet to shelter behind shrubs. A gasoline tank, three other oxygen tanks, and a quantity of cartridges then exploded. Meanwhile Walker died; and Vollweiler died nine hours later, both from injuries other than burns. 39517-3285
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