John Thomas Matthis rescued Robert E. Moore, Sr., from scalding steam, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 20, 1980. In a steam boiler plant, Moore, 46, and another man were in a boiler room near a steam pipe when the pipe ruptured. The other man escaped as the room filled with scalding steam. Matthis, 54, equipment mechanic foreman, realized Moore had not escaped and searched the room but failed to find him. Matthis entered a second time and found Moore lying unconscious. Twice, despite burns, Matthis reentered and moved Moore toward the door. Moore revived briefly and crawled to where Matthis and another man were able to remove him. Moore died several hours later. Matthis required hospitalization for his burns.
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