RE FF McCann above posted Thanks to tjm9993
From 1973 Medal Day book:
Fireman 1st Grade RAYMOND G. MCCANN. Ladder Co. 40
Fire at 2066 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan. Box 22-1450.
0415 hours, October 16, 1972.
5 story. N.F.P., Old Law Tenement.
Upon arrival at the fire building, fire was showing at the 2nd and 3rd floor windows. Both of the buildings air shafts were fully involved. Engine Company 36 had advanced their line to the kitchen. The nozzle man had sustained burns of the neck and face. The line was shut down while he was being removed from area. Captain Abseck and Fireman McCann had completed initial ladder operations on fire floor and while the injured man was being removed, they moved to place the engine's line in operation. Suddenly, without warning, the ceiling collapsed and pinned both members under the rubble.
Within moments a secondary collapse of partition walls with kitchen cabinets occurred. This added to the mound of debris, which was on fire and blocking escape through the hallway. Fr. McCann, stunned and shocked, found the lower half of his legs pinned by assorted articles. Pockets of fire, smoldering embers, and negative visibility surrounded him. Heat conditions were unbearable. He attempted to pull his legs free but they were pinned in the rubble. With great effort he managed to extricate his legs from his boots.
Without helmet and boots, trapped, dazed and in extreme pain; the hallway route blocked, he determined to effect his escape through the rear fire escape.
Crawling over the obstacles, Fr. McCann heard the anguished calls of Capt. Abseck, who was almost completely buried under the smoldering debris. Fr. McCann searched and located the captain. Ignoring his own injuries, and by sheer brute strength, he clawed and dug the debris away, actually pulling Captain Abseck out of his boots. In a dynamic effort he dragged and pulled the semi-conscious officer to a rear fire escape. Fr. Demry, Ladder 40, found both men on the fire escape and removed them to the floor below. Fireman McCann then collapsed from his injuries. Both members were removed to the hospital, suffering 2nd and 3rd degree burns, smoke inhalation, and exhaustion.
This heroic act was performed under the most difficult and trying conditions, which is attested to by the injuries sustained by both members. Fr. McCann's extreme valor and unselfish regard for his own personal safety is in the highest tradition of the fire service.
..........................A recipient of both the James Gordon Bennett & Harry Archer Medals.