Harrison L. Kelley rescued Martin S. Bowersock from burning, Hedrick, Iowa, November 12, 1949. Bowersock, 62, who was partially paralyzed, was unable to move from a bed in the front room of a one-story frame house when flames broke out and ignited the walls and ceiling. A woman who heard his cries informed Kelley, 61, laborer, of the fire, and he ran 75 feet to the house and opened the front door. Dense smoke filled the room, extending downward from the ceiling to within 18 inches of the floor. Heat was intense. Kelley entered and crawled 12 feet to the bed. He grasped Bowersock’s wrist and pulled him to the floor as pieces of burning paper fell on them from the ceiling. Kelley freed Bowersock from burning bedclothes, which had toppled onto him, and dragged him with difficulty to the door and then outside. Bowersock sustained serious burns and died later in the day. Kelley had severe burns of the face, neck, head, and hands, being disabled for four months. 3682-41856
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