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Archiver > MO-OREGON-HISTORY > 2006-09 > 1157688009


From: Pat Miller <>
Subject: Re: [MO-OREGON-HISTORY] My Hero
Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2006 23:00:09 -0500
References: <6.1.0.6.2.20060907224448.01c1ca20@wiscmail.wisc.edu>
In-Reply-To: <6.1.0.6.2.20060907224448.01c1ca20@wiscmail.wisc.edu>


James,
What a wonderful story and one to pass down to future generations. You
should see if the Oregon County Genealogical Society would publish this
in their newsletter. Maybe with a picture of the metal.
Pat Miller
James Wall wrote:
> Had some trouble attempting to poat. I f multiple posts appears
> my apologies.
>
> This is the write up for the Carnegie Presidential Medal of Honor,
> the highest award for non-military valor in America. This is the same
> medal awarded to those on the plane that went down over Pennsylvania on
> 9-11. Grandpa Ernest Leonard WALL was the son of Shadrach Edward WALL and
> Mary Jane HUFF. Mary Jane HUFF was born in Koshkonong, Oregon Co.,
> Missouri. Grandpa WALL was born over in Brandsville, Howell Co., Missouri
> in 1900. I located the write up on the Carnegie Web site. Dad is
> currently in possession of the Bronze medal awarded to Grandpa WALL. It
> was awarded to Grandpa by President Dwight D. EISENHOWER. He also was
> awarded a Congressional Medal of Valor that was voted on by Congress for
> this same act.
>
> james wall
>
>
> ERNEST L. WALL
> El Dorado, Kansas
>
> Ernest L. Wall, 53, railroad switchman, saved Kathleen Sue Ross, 17 months,
> from being killed by a train, El Dorado, Kansas, November 5, 1952. Kathleen
> wandered onto a track on which a diesel locomotive pulling cars was
> backing, and she fell prone between the rails as the train approached at a
> speed of 14 m.p.h. The engineer saw Kathleen and applied emergency brakes.
> Wall, who was troubled by varicose veins in both legs, left the cab and
> descended steps at the side of the locomotive. Holding to a handrail, he
> swung himself onto a footboard nine inches above the track as the
> locomotive moved at diminishing speed to within 10 feet of Kathleen. From
> the footboard Wall jumped onto the track just ahead of the locomotive and
> ran six feet to Kathleen. In full stride he lifted Kathleen and clasped her
> to his side. Wall then continued running 10 feet between the rails and
> lunged two feet outside the track with Kathleen, barely clearing the
> locomotive, which passed them and came to a stop. Wall suffered a bruised
> knee and ankle abrasions which healed in a week. 3856-42699
>
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