Carnegie Heroes

by Diana Kohn

The New Hampshire Avenue bridge story includes a mention of the August 1969 rescue attempt during a flashflood that took the lives of two Prince Georges County volunteer firefighters. The historic marker honoring them has since been re-installed on the bridge.

A third rescuer from that night survived. Colin Edgar Turner, then 18, was the first to reach the swamped car in the creek and free the trapped Knowles family. He helped them reach the precarious safety of the Sligo Bridge. They all watched as the two firefighters attempting to complete the rescue were swept away by the current.

Turner was subsequently recognized as a Carnegie Hero – and his story posted on the Carnegie Hero website. Andrew Carnegie established the fund in 1904, prompted by heroic rescue efforts in the wake of a coal mine explosion. The fund awards medals to "individuals in the U.S. and Canada who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree saving and attempting to save the lives of others." More than 100 years later, the fund continues to honor civilians heroes (those in the line of duty, like the two firefighters, are not eligible).

Among the 131 names of Marylanders who have been cited as Carnegie Heroes over the 100-plus years, is a second resident of Takoma Park. Businessman Frank Wise, age 42, was sitting in the Visitors Gallery of the House of Representatives on March 1, 1954, when four Puerto Rican nationalists pulled guns and fired 30 rounds on the legislators below. Wise tackled one of the gunmen and managed to pull him into the hallway, where security guards assisted in the capture. Seeing the final assailant leave the Gallery, he shouted to authorities and proceeded to pinion the man's arms until more help arrived.

So we honor not one, but two Carnegie Heroes.