20 Band Members Survived the Crash
.... these are some of the Heroes
that you haven't heard about
Actions done in service of others who are in need
Actions that are performed voluntarily
Actions taken with risk or sacrifice
Actions taken without expectation of reward or gain
Dwain Easley
Dwain was 26 years old. The crash site was only 800 yards from Dwain's home. He scratched through the woods in the gathering twilight to the crash, climbed into the wreckage and pulled victims from the twisted fuselage for the next several hours. Dwain and Gerald Wall were pulling victims from the front of the plane.
Gerald Wall
Gerald was a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Amite County constable. He was also company commander (Captain) of the 155th Headquarters Infantry Company of the Mississippi Army National Guard in McComb, MS. Gerald's combat experience was crucial to the role he played in rescuing survivors that night. His national guard unit assisted in the response. Gerald's rescue efforts focused on the front of the wreck alongside Dwain Easley.
Jamie Wall
Jamie Wall, Gerald's brother, had been bow hunting for deer that afternoon when he received word from the Gillsburg fire department to respond to the crash site. He made his way to the site within minutes and began assisting in getting the survivors out. Jamie's other brothers, Jeffrey, Joey, John and Jed also made their way to the site and assisted. Jamie was at the aft of the plane working with Dennis Wilson.
Dennis Wilson
Dennis was fire chief of the Gillsburg Volunteer Fire Department at the time. He immediately mobilized other volunteers and headed to the area of the crash site. Dennis and Jamie Wall worked to remove victims from the rear of the crash. Dennis transported three of the deceased in his 1977 GMC pickup to the Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb.
Dr. Hank Lewis
Fortunately for the victims, Dr. Lewis was a young military trained trauma doctor. He responded to the crash site from the hospital in the first on scene ambulance. He was in the woods treating victims at the crash and continued to aid them at the hospital.
Wayne Blades
Wayne was working in the hay field that day with Dwain Easley. They made their way through the woods together and pulled victims from the plane. Wayne was a young man at the time and one of the first to help. He has since passed.
