Carnegie Hero Award Winners

    Terry C. Keefer and Russell L. Clyde were honored on the fifth of May 1964 at the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission’s spring meeting. Keefer 17 years of age and Clyde 18, each received a bronze medal and five hundred dollars for their heroic deed following a two car collision on December eleventh the year before. The two Ellwood City youths rescued a steelworker from his burning automobile and were among twenty five Carnegie Hero award winners announced at the meeting.
    A vehicle operated by Thomas D. Morgan 36, (previously mentioned steelworker) burst into flames when it was hit from behind by another car, knocking the driver to the floor. As onlookers shouted warnings of the impending explosion, young Mr. Clyde tried without success to open a car door while Mr. Keefer climbed onto the hood and kicked in the windshield.
 With the Keefer youth holding him from behind, young Clyde leaned into the car and pulled the injured Morgan through the opening shortly before the rapidly spreading flames engulfed the car.
    The Carnegie Hero medal was the second for the Keefer family. In 1917, his grandfather Wilbur E. Keefer was also recognized for a rescue effort in Ellwood City. If you would like to share any memories about the incident, please leave a comment below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

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