Wendel Victor Peterson saved Joyce M. and Cowana Robinson from burning, Sacramento, California, July 10, 1970. When the automobile in which they were riding was involved in an accident and one door became jammed, Mrs. Robinson, 38, and her daughter, Cowana, 9, were too frightened to use the other door because flames were spreading along that side after having broken out at the rear end. Peterson, 36, maintenance man, ran to the jammed door and broke the window glass with a crowbar as the flames at the opposite side and at the rear end increased. In intense heat, Peterson reached through the window opening, grasped Mrs. Robinson, and pulled her from the automobile. After dragging her some distance away, Peterson ran back to the vehicle and again reached into it. He took hold of Cowana, pulled her through the window opening, and carried her to safety. Seconds later, flames suddenly filled the interior of the automobile.
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