Kincannon, Jerry Frank

of Miami, will receive a Silver Vail in recognition of rescue work at a mine accident May 13, 1938, near Commerce Oklahoma. An exchange repairman at Miami for the Southwestern Bell Telephone company, Kincannon is one of two telephone people in the nation to be awarded the silver medal for an act of 'noteworthy public service' performed during 1938. The collapse of hoisting equipment at the mine near Commerce seriously injured three miners who were dropped 60 in a 'metal can' elevator in which they were being lifted at the time of the accident. Kincannon, because of extensive company training in first aid, was asked by his wire chief to go to the scene of the accident. Tons of louse earth collapsed the mine shaft, so Kincannon and two miners descended an adjoining shaft some 600 feet away and followed a hazardous passageway to the injured men, one of who was already dead. Kincannon gave first aid treatment to the two surviving miners and assisted in their removal to the surface. One of the two was so seriously injured that he died shortly after his rescue. The recovery of the other was credited to the skill of the first aid treatment.