Robert H. Walker, Sr., 28, truck driver, saved an indeterminate person or persons from an explosion and burning, Bennington, Vermont, March 6, 1944. While Walker was in his home alone, a tank truck, which he had parked in front of the house, caught fire. The steel tank, which had three compartments, contained 4,000 gallons of gasoline; and a film of dust and splashed gasoline covered the outside. Walker ran to the truck, when flames six inches high were on the sides and top of the tank near the rear. Keeping his left foot on the running-board and being about half-way out of the cab, which was three feet forward of the tank, Walker drove 4,300 feet on the street, which for the most part was heavily populated, and then 500 feet farther on a road where the houses were more scattered. He stopped at a point midway between two houses that were 550 feet apart, turned off the motor, and jumped. Flames five feet high and much smoke rose above the tank. Walker ran to a house and telephoned an alarm. Firemen arrived 10 minutes after he left the truck. Fifteen minutes later the front compartment exploded, sending a sheet of flaming gasoline 250 feet from the truck. No one was injured. 40135-3380
40135 – 3380
40135-3380