Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1976-04-05
Invested on: 1976-06-28
Herman F. Irwin, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
Herman Irwin removed the body of a four-month-old girl from a smoke-filled room of her home in Dereham Township, which was severely gutted by fire, on February 7, 1974. Mr. Irwin was driving in the area when summoned to the scene by a local resident and encountered the child's mother and an older sister who had managed to escape from the building. When advised that the baby was lying in the living room, Mr. Irwin smashed the window and climbed inside. The influx of air, however, fed the fire and the rescuer was forced to retreat from the blistering heat and toxic smoke. Returning outside, the rescuer allowed the smoke to dissipate before re-entering the dwelling. Mr. Irwin promptly found his way to the baby and then carried her to the window. Artificial respiration was applied to the victim, but sadly, she could not be revived.