The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-07-24

the approach of a low-fying airplane As he
reached the doorway of the building, the air
plane struck. the roof, crashed to the ground and
burst into flames.
Although dazed by being struck by flying
debris, Private Thompson succeeded in reaching
the crashed airplane. Seeing the pilot in the
cockpit in an unconscious condition and the pas
senger lying PROSTATE on the ground some dis
lance away, and realizing that there was imme-
date danger of the gasoline tank exploding, he
rendered most valuable assistance in helping TO
extricate the pilot and removing him from the
danger zone"
william A. Matheny, second lieutenant, air
corps, United States army. For heroism when an
LB-6 airplane crashed and burned near Managua.
Nicaragua August So 1929 The airplane, pilot
ed by Lieut. Dwight Garfield and Lieut.. Math-
eny, one of four being ferried to the Canal Zone
crashed due to leaking gasoline and fire in one
of the motors. Both officers were thrown free
of the airplane at the time of the crash, and
Lieut.. Matheny, after running few steps, looked
back and saw Lieutenant Garfield on the ground
near the burning plane and unable to move At
great personal risk, knowing that both Of them
were drenched with gasoline, he back and
assisted Lieutenant Garfield to his feet, the
clothing of both catching fire. He then attempted
to extinguish the flames from the clothing OF
Lieutenant Garfield in the wet grass, after which
he extinguished the flames from his cloth
ing. Lieutenant AIatheny received painful and
severe burns and Lieutenant Garfield died later
from the burns received The heroism displayed
by Lieutenant Matheny reflects great credit
himself and the military service"
The establishment of the Soldiers medal for
peace-time heroism recalls the fact that the first
winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor
the highest decoration of the United States gov
eminent, which is awarded for conspicuous
gallantry in action with the enemy.
theirs under circumstances which would have
made them eligible for the award of the Sol
ders medal instead Of the Congressional Medal
of Honor if there had been Soldiers medal at
that time. In fact. Corp. John C. Hesse and
Sergt. Maj Joseph K. Wilson of the Eighth in
fantry won their Congressional Medals of Honor
only to have the decorations rescinded later be-
cause their gallantry did not take place in
action.
This was back in Civil war days. AT the
beginning of the war the Eighth infantry was in
Texas, scattered at various stations in the Lone
Star state. Hostile forces Of Confederates, over
whelming in number, hemmed it in on every side
Gen. Marshall Twiggs the department command
err realized the futility Of resistance and ordered
all Union troops in Texas to attempt to leave the
state by way Of the coast
Carrying the colors proudly Company c Of
the Eighth made desperate dash for the Gulf
OF Mexico in an attempt to comply with Gen.
eral Twiggs order. A series Of forced marches
brought the company finally to San Antonio
almost within sight of its goal Here, however
it encountered a much larger force Of Confed-
crates and was forced to surrender.
A few officers, with enlisted men as orderlies
were permitted to leave for Washington as
exchanged prisoners. Knowing this, and discov-
ering that he and Wilson were to be among the
number going north, Corporal Hesse and Ser
geant Major Wilson took the two tattered flags
from their stats and wrapped them about their
bodies, beneath the shirt and blouse
The building was strongly guarded by Con-
federate forces and the men had to pass through
several other hands of enemies In gray, but the
southern warriors never suspected anything
wrong In the sudden stoutness Of Messrs. Hesse
and Wilson.
Three weeks were consumed in making the
Journey through hostile territory and several
times the twain were in mental agony as Con-
federates looked them over, but on May &c 1861
they arrived safely In the city Of Washington
and had the pleasure of turning the colors over
to President Lincoln.
&c by Western Newspaper Unsan-