Thomas A. Bettis, Jr., saved Melissa N. and Jackie K. Jourden from suffocation, Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 22, 1970. At night fire broke out in the living room of a second-floor apartment where Melissa, 17 months, and Jackie, two months, were asleep in separate bedrooms while their mother was visiting neighbors. Among those attracted was Bettis, 25, pharmaceutical salesman. He entered the smoke-filled apartment and, making his way past the flames, reached the first bedroom. In dense smoke he located a window, opened it, and thrust his head outside briefly for air. He then moved to the bed and picked up Melissa, who was unconscious. After handing her to a man outside the window, Bettis made his way to the other bedroom. He bumped into a crib, in which he found Jackie unconscious. Bettis carried her to the open window in the first bedroom. After handing her to the man outside, Bettis climbed through the window opening and jumped to the ground. Melissa and Jackie recovered from effects of the smoke.
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