War As My Fathers Tank Battalion Knew It: Interview With a Loader: Bob Rossi Part 2

Interview With a Loader: Bob Rossi Part 2

Mar 27, 2021

93-POUND GIRL IS HEROINE OF FIRE

   Jersey City, N.J., Dec. 30, 1937 -- (AP) -- Two score men stood by today ready to give blood transfusions to a 93-pound blond heroine of the Plaza hotel fire who stuck to her switchboard yesterday arousing guests as she beat out her blazing clothing with her hands.
   Among the last to flee the fire fatal to two other hotel employes, 26-year-old HELEN SULLIVAN had to run through a wall of flame in the lobby, and staggered into the street so badly burned no one at first recognized her.
   Part of her dress was burned off, and her, face, chest and hands were burned.
   Nearly delirious from pain when she reached the medical center she asked about an aged widow and an aged couple who lived at the hotel. Told all the guests were saved, her flame-blackened face lighted with a smile.
--Jefferson City Post-Tribune Missouri 1937-12-30

War As My Father's Tank Battalion Knew It is a podcast about the 712th Tank Battalion in particular and World War II in general. Excerpts from this interview with Bob Rossi appear in other episodes, especially the ones about the battle of Pfaffenheck, "Once Upon a Tank in the Battle of the Bulge," and "The Iron Cross and a Three Day Pass."

This interview is included in my oral history audiobook "Once Upon a Tank in the Battle of the Bulge." Thank you for listening.