James S. Campbell, Sr.

James S. Campbell, Sr.,saved Martin A. Fulton from burning, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1967. When the panel truck Fulton, 19, bread deliveryman, was driving struck a utility role, the vehicle toppled onto its side and the top then tipped into a shallow ditch, raising all four wheels off the ground. Flames appeared around the fuel tank, from which gasoline was leaking. Fulton, who had suffered head injuries, was unable to get out of the cab. Campbell, 55, milk deliveryman, heard Fulton shouting for help and ran to the burning truck as the flames spread to the rear of the vehicle. The impact of the truck against the pole had caused high-tension wires to sag to 15 feet above the truck and to sway. Each time two wires made contact there was a loud crack and an electrical flash. Others had been attracted and a woman warned Campbell that the truck’s fuel tank might explode. As Campbell reached the front end of the vehicle, the electric lines again made contact. Fearing the wires might break and fall onto the truck, Campbell withdrew briefly. He then stepped onto a front wheel, which was within two feet of the nearest flames, and climbed onto the front of the truck alongside its sliding door. Campbell forced open the door, reached into the cab, and took hold of Fulton. By then the increasing flames covered the rear of the truck. Campbell aided Fulton, who was bleeding profusely, in climbing out of the cab and thence to the ground. As they ran from the truck, there was an explosive spread of flames, some rising 20 feet and others enveloping the front end of the vehicle. Neither Fulton nor Campbell sustained burns. Fulton was hospitalized and recovered from his injuries.