Leo N. Desmarias

Leo N. Desmarias saved Lucy A. Garcia from being struck by a train, Montebello, California, November 20, 1970. When her sedan stalled astride a railroad track on which a train was approaching, Mrs. Garcia, 49, remained at the wheel and tried to restart the motor. Desmarias, 65, general signal maintainer, ran to the driver’s side of the automobile, reaching it when the train was within 550 feet and traveling at decreasing speed. Desmarias opened the door of the sedan, took hold of Mrs. Garcia, and pulled her to a standing position on the crossing. Maintaining his hold on Mrs. Garcia, Desmarias pulled her with him as he ran from the path of the train. They were about two feet from the rear of the automobile when the locomotive struck the sedan and dragged it some distance as the train passed over the crossing and stopped about 100 feet beyond.