Carnegie Hero Fund Commission

08/20/2026

Need a break from the chaos? Join us every weekend for stories of courage, compassion, and selflessness.

“Heroes” airs at 11 a.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays on Pittsburgh’s Talk Radio 1320 WJAS, sharing inspiring true stories of everyday heroes who risked their lives to save others. Start your weekend with something worth listening to.

Listen live from anywhere: https://1320wjas.com/on-air/heroes/

08/18/2026

"Josh’s story is one of enduring courage, profound strength, and extraordinary love, and, ultimately, sacrifice. His life leaves an enduring legacy that inspires all who knew him and serves as a reminder of the power of sacrifice and heroism." – Obituary of Carnegie Hero #10533 Joshua A. Curtis

Learn more about Joshua A. Curtis's act of heroism: https://www.carnegiehero.org/hero-search/joshua-a-curtis/

08/16/2026

The Hero Fund offers a peer-support program just for Carnegie Medal recipients. Through Heroes for Heroes, you can connect with a fellow hero who understands the challenges that might come after a rescue.

Click here to learn more or request a mentor:

A peer support network program is available to Carnegie heroes thanks to a group of volunteer Carnegie Medal recipients who will serve as support coaches in “Heroes for Heroes.” Participants …

08/14/2026

On Jan. 21, 1921, three miners were overcome by dynamite fumes about 200 feet inside a tunnel near Rausch Creek, Pennsylvania. Without hesitation, Warren A. Hoy and Peter G. Rumpf entered the poisonous atmosphere on a small motorcar to rescue their fellow workers.

The pair first brought Frank Carter, an unconscious chargeman, to fresh air before returning to rescue a machine man in the same manner. Knowing that another machine man remained inside the tunnel, Hoy and Rumpf entered a third time.

Rumpf dragged the unconscious man partway back toward the motorcar, but as the deadly fumes overwhelmed him, he was forced to retreat and run more than a mile to summon help. Hoy remained behind but was overcome near the motorcar and died in the rescue attempt.

After reviving, Frank Carter, despite having only just been rescued himself, re-entered the tunnel alone. With great difficulty, he dragged the unconscious man approximately 200 feet to the open air, saving his life.

For their extraordinary courage and selflessness, Peter G. Rumpf, Warren A. Hoy, and Frank Carter were each awarded the Carnegie Medal and are remembered today in the Carnegie Medalist section at Anthracite Miners Memorial Park.

Learn more: https://www.carnegiehero.org/monument-honors-40-carnegie-medalists-from-pennsylvanias-anthracite-coal-region/

08/13/2026

"It will never be known just how many lives could have been lost that night had these two brave lifelong friends not found the courage to confront this mentally disturbed man and attempt to disarm him. The critical seconds that Jason and Mike were able to occupy him provided time for others to hide, escape, and find safety." – Widow of Carnegie Hero #10524 Jason Walker, who acted with Carnegie Hero #10525 Michael Robert Deslauriers II

Learn more about their acts of heroism: https://www.carnegiehero.org/overheard-impulse-85/

08/12/2026

On Nov. 8, 1932, when a collapse trapped two miners in an abandoned entry near Avoca, Pennsylvania, Robert Hughes and Joseph P. Tigue rushed into the dangerous passage to help.

As loose shale continued to fall from the walls and ceiling, the two men dug with their bare hands to reach one trapped miner at the bottom of a narrow shaft. After nearly three hours of exhausting work, they freed him and brought him to safety. Refusing to stop there, Hughes and Tigue returned underground to rescue the second trapped miner.

Working late into the night, they carefully dug a trench, erected supports, and inched their way closer beneath an unstable roof. Just as they began clearing debris from around the injured man, the walls of the entry collapsed again, forcing the rescuers to flee for their own lives.

Once the mine had been stabilized, rescuers recovered the second miner, who later succumbed to his injuries. Despite the danger and repeated collapses, Hughes and Tigue never wavered in their determination to save both men.

For their extraordinary courage, Robert Hughes and Joseph P. Tigue were each awarded the Carnegie Medal and are remembered today in the Carnegie Medalist section at Anthracite Miners Memorial Park.

Learn more: https://www.carnegiehero.org/monument-honors-40-carnegie-medalists-from-pennsylvanias-anthracite-coal-region/

08/11/2026

On this day in 1919, Andrew Carnegie died, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations. His commitment to philanthropy led to the creation of the Carnegie Hero Fund, established to honor ordinary individuals who perform extraordinary acts of heroism.

After establishing the Hero Fund in 1904, Carnegie said, “I don’t believe there is a nobler fund in the world.” Today, we remember Andrew Carnegie and the lasting impact of his vision, generosity, and commitment to recognizing selfless courage.

Learn more about Andrew Carnegie here: https://www.carnegiehero.org/resources2/about-andrew-carnegie/

08/10/2026

On May 4, 1949, when a fire broke out in a mine in Girardville, Pennsylvania, smoke quickly spread through the underground passages. As miners worked to evacuate, it was discovered that a mine fireboss had not made it to the surface.

Without hesitation, Joseph P. Wowak, William J. Kelly Sr., and Raymond J. Ey descended nearly 800 feet into the mine to find him. Navigating the smoke-filled tunnels, the three men pressed deeper into the mine despite rapidly worsening conditions, determined to locate the missing fireboss and warn him of the growing danger.

As the smoke became increasingly dense, the conditions proved too hazardous for even equipped rescue crews to continue the search. Nearly two days later, after the mine had finally cleared, rescuers found Wowak, Kelly, Ey, and the missing mine fireboss together where they had succumbed during the rescue attempt.

For their extraordinary courage and selflessness, Joseph P. Wowak, William J. Kelly Sr., and Raymond J. Ey were each awarded the Carnegie Medal and are remembered today in the Carnegie Medalist section at Anthracite Miners Memorial Park.

Learn more: https://www.carnegiehero.org/monument-honors-40-carnegie-medalists-from-pennsylvanias-anthracite-coal-region/

08/08/2026

On Oct. 17, 1917, after an explosion of firedamp at a mine in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, miners fled through dark tunnels in search of fresh air. When they reached safety, they realized a laborer had become separated from the group and had unknowingly headed deeper into danger.

Without hesitation, Cadwalader and John Harry volunteered to go back. Entering the smoke-filled gangway where the air had become deadly, they searched for the missing miner despite the overwhelming danger. Only a short distance into the passage, the poisonous gases overcame Cadwalader. Harry continued on, assuming Cadwalader had turned back to return to safety.

At a point 50 feet down the gangway, he took a breath and was affected by the gas. He went to his hands and knees and crawled to the entry, calling weakly for help. At the entry, another man assisted him to safety, but no one dared venture back down the gangway. Cadwalader had collapsed and died at a point 10 feet from the entry.

For his extraordinary courage and selflessness, David A. Cadwalader was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal and is remembered today on the Carnegie Medalist section at Anthracite Miners Memorial Park. John Harry also received the Carnegie Medal for Heroism.

Learn more: https://www.carnegiehero.org/monument-honors-40-carnegie-medalists-from-pennsylvanias-anthracite-coal-region/

08/07/2026

Immerse yourself in the courage, compassion, and unwavering spirit of who took on serious risk to save other humans.

A New Century of Heroes, edited by Eric P. Zahren, features the stories of 250 Carnegie heroes, including the six two-time Carnegie Medal recipients.

Click here to learn more: https://www.carnegiehero.org/resources2/a-new-century-of-heroes-available-through-the-hero-fund-2/