Ohioan Receiving Carnegie Hero Medal

WCBE 90.5FM | By Associated Press

Published October 3, 2013 at 9:23 AM EDT

A Gallipolis man is one of 22 people being honored today with medals for heroism by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. 35-year-old Christopher Williams rescued 3-year-old neighbor Samuel Dust and his mother from a fire at the family's mobile home last year. Carnegie medalists or their heirs receive financial grants approved by the commission. More than 35 million dollars have been awarded to more than 96 hundred honorees since 1904. New recipients are announced four times a year. Steel baron Andrew Carnegie was inspired to start the fund after hearing rescue stories from a mine disaster that killed 181 people.