LeRoy Simmons saved John S. Blankenship, Jr., and attempted to save James H. Steward from burning, Orlando, Florida, September 25, 1942. An airplane, in which Blankenship, 20, radio observer, and Steward, 26, airplane pilot, were riding, fell to the ground and burst into flame. There was an explosion in the airplane. Simmons, 28, carpenter, who feared another explosion, ran to the side of Blankenship’s compartment, tore an opening in the cover, and tried to pull him out; but Blankenship was held by straps. Flames rose 12 feet from the ground at both sides of the fuselage at Steward’s position near the nose and from the fuselage on the opposite side of the airplane from Simmons. Simmons unfastened a strap holding Blankenship, got footing in a small hole in the side of the fuselage, put his head and one shoulder through the top opening, and unfastened two more straps. He pulled Blankenship partly out, but Blankenship became snagged. There was a small explosion in a wing near Simmons, who fell backward onto the ground, pulling Blankenship out of the airplane upon himself. He dragged Blankenship away from the airplane. He then ran toward Steward, passing close to flames. Steward then fell to the ground into burning gasoline; and realizing he could not rescue him, Simmons ran away from the airplane. When he was 200 feet from it, there was another explosion, which threw burning gasoline all over the airplane. Steward was burned to death. Blankenship sustained severe injuries but recovered. 39707-3289
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