The Washington times., 1924-01-05

utes halfway out OF the window,
holding Lipske by his hands.
Lipske's feet were dangling.
If Kefauver had let go Lipske
would have dropped several stories
TO the hard pavement and probably
Killed. If Deputy Chief Andrew j.
Sullivan and Lieut.. H. A. Chapman,
who viewed the rescue from another
window, had not come to Kefauver's
aid, the latter would probably have
dropped out OF the window with
Lipske.
Stuck To Purpose.
kefauver was determined to saw
his friend even at the risk of his
life. He was not satisfied to get to
safety himself but risked his life
for Lipske. Chief Sullivan and
Lieutenant Chapman reached both
men who were exhausted and
safety.
Both men," says the Official com.
mendation Of Capt. Edward O'Con-
nor, displayed extraordinary courage
In the face Of great danger. Il be
heve that the judgment displayed
by Private Kefauver and his cool
action in the presence of great per-
sonal danger saved Private Lipske
from seriOus injury or death.
Chief Sullivan. who saw the thrill
ing rescue, adds this statement to
the official commentator:
I'm all my forty-five years ex.
perience in fire-fighting, have
never seen such a thrilling rescue.
KefauVer faced almost certain
death to save Lipske. It was a
wonderful site, and Kefauver acted
in a manner which makes me proud
to be member of the fire de.
partment.
81 saw the entire incident. Both
exhibited extraordinary bravery.
The odds were against them. but
they wouldn't give up. If Leuten-
ant Chapman and / hadn't reached
the two men when we did, be.
lieve both would have gone out Of
the window. Kefauver was deter
mined and don't believe he would
have let go of Lipske's hands even
If he helt himself falling out Of the
window"
Policeman Russell and Fireman
Kefauver were the outstanding
heroes Of the year. They will now
wear the gold medals which adorn
the coats Of five other firemen and
policemen who In past years have
performed deeds which merited them
special recognition and commenda-
ton by the District Commissioners
and the public at large. -
There were other members of the
department, however, who displayed
extraordinary bravery and Judge
ment in the face Of danger during
the year. And likewise there are
hundreds of members. of both de.
partments who would, If the oppor-
tunity came, exhibit extraordinary
bravery and courage. .,4
The citizens committee in honor.
ing Russell and Kefauver also
praised the work Of those men who
received honorable mention. They
declared that all of them were due
the highest praise Of the COM
munity.
First, let's take up the. case Of
Policeman Thomas d. Welsh, Of
the Harbor precinct. Walsh was
commended for his part in saving
the lives of Bernard Vincent, 1914
Colorado avenue northwest, and
Milton Schlosser. of 300 Ritten.
house street northwest. vincent,
unable to swim, fell in the Potomac
river. Schlosser dived in after him.
Then Policemen Walsh. who was
near by in the police boat. went in
after both boys. He helped to
bring them ashore.
Saved From Drowning.
"It was quite dark" Policeman
Ray G. Ault, of the Harbor pre-.
cinct, declared in an official report
of the incident, "and there was
quite q current running at the time.
The water, at this point being very
deep. 1t was with considerable diff.
ficulty that Private Walsh got both
men to the float.
HAD It not been for Walsh's e.
forts both men would undouL teddy
have been drowned as Vincent who
had grabbed Schlosser was face to
face with him, and had hold OF him
in such a manner az to prevent the
pse Of his arms making him power
hess"
Two runaway horses which. n no,