John R. Lapine, Jr., rescued John P. McKenna from burning, West Sayville, New York, October 10, 1968. When his compact sedan was involved in an accident resulting in an explosive spread of flames, McKenna , 27, electrician,was knocked unconscious. Lapine, 33, air traffic control specialist, ran to the automobile, from which flames were rising as high as 10 feet, and opened the door of the front compartment. He saw McKenna slumped at the opposite side of the front seat with his legs in the flames beneath the instrument panel. Lapine covered his head with his jacket and leaned into the sedan, where heat was intense. Flames leaped about him as he grasped McKenna and pulled him from the automobile. Another man then ran to Lapine and aided him in carrying McKenna away from the burning vehicle. They beat out flames on the attire of McKenna, who recovered after hospitalization.
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