Manuel Carvalho, Sr., 54, fruit ranch foreman, attempted to save Herman A. Ladeau, 24, pilot, U. S. Army Air Force, from burning, Fulton, California, October 25, 1945. An airplane which Ladeau was flying crashed and came to rest in an upright position. The nose of the nacelle and the wings were damaged. Ladeau was pinned in the cockpit, which was enclosed by a canopy of plexiglass. Flames broke out and extended a foot from beneath the cockpit and the wings, in which gasoline tanks were imbedded near the cockpit. Carvalho stepped onto the wing beside the cockpit and with a stake pried the top open. Carvalho grasped Ladeau’s collar but was able to raise him only slightly. Flame and dense smoke momentarily filled the cockpit and Carvalho stepped off the wing. Returning to the cockpit, he tried several times to lift Ladeau, who was surrounded by flames to his waist. Heat was intense, and finally Carvalho released his hold and ran from the airplane. Ladeau was burned to death. 40547-3478
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40547-3478