Martha Lunn Thompson

Martha Lunn Thompson saved Evelyn F., Renetter R., and Charles E. Walker from burning, Columbia, Tennessee, November 21, 1968. Fire broke out in a one-story frame dwelling in which Evelyn, 4; Renetter, 5, and Charles, 3, were unattended while their parents were working. Mrs. Thompson, 18, housewife, who lived nearby, saw flames on the roof and went to the dwelling. Through the front door she saw that most of the living room was afire; but she could not see the children, who she knew were inside. She ran to the kitchen door and forced it open. Despite the smoke she was able to see the children huddled under a table. They ignored her pleas to come to her. Mrs. Thompson entered the kitchen, ran 10 feet to the table, and pulled the two girls from under it. Charles ran toward the doorway of an adjoining room to which the fire had spread. Mrs. Thompson thrust Evelyn and Renetter toward the kitchen door and ran to Charles. She took him to the girls, who still had not left the room. Fire, smoke, and heat conditions were increasing rapidly as Mrs. Thompson herded the three children through the kitchen door. Minutes later the spreading flames caused the dwelling to collapse.