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Page 4 - Fairbanks News-0Miner, Saturday, Nov 27,
1954
 • Congratulations to Rescuers
The army has recognized the heroism of the men
who brought Corp. George Argus down from the 11,000 foot level of Mt.
McKinley last May. Medals and citations have been given to the
participants in this dramatic and successful rescue.
It was most fitting for the army to do this, for the men who ascended
Mt. McKinley performed a most heroic deed, and every one of them
volunteered to do this job. »
The late Dr. John McCall knew well the dangers of Muldrow glacier. He'd
climbed the mountain previously with Bradford Washburn. He wasn't eager
to go up the mountain again, for he was thinking of his wife and four
children and the possibility of serious accident in the crevasses of the
glacier and the avalanches along its sides. But when his help was
needed, he didn't hesitate one moment. He told university officials
that, "it is my duty," and he grabbed his equipment and left immediately
for the scene of the accident
Fred Milan, and the men from the Army Arctic training center at Big
Delta all volunteered their assistance, and commenced a very difficult
and dangerous ascent of the mountain in snowfall, sleet and overcast
weather. The going was extremely difficult, but .speed was essential, so
they had to take chances that mountain climbers ordinarily do not (take.
They extended themselves to the very limit of physical endurance.
They reached the tent, and rescued George Argus, proving once again that
Alaskans have the fortitude and courage to overcome all the obstacles
that harsh elements and wild terrain can place before them.
Just as heroic as the deeds of the men on the mountain were the feats of
the fliers who supplied the rescue party. Capt. Flavius Simmons, time
after time, guided his tiny single engined plane deep into the dangerous
glacier, and while circling between its towering walls, dumped supplies
out the door of his plane with one arm while flying with the other.
Virtually every time he entered that glacier at the high altitudes the
rescue party reached, he took his life in his hands.
The men who ascended Mt. McKinley wrote a glorious chapter in the annals
of Alaska rescues. They richly deserve their awards, and we offer all of
them our congratulations. Alaska is proud of them.
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READ MORE ABOUT THE DENALI RESCUE
Life
Magazine June 14, 1954 :
Mt. McKinley climbing rescue - Marton Wood, Elton Thayer, Leslie
Vierck and George Argus, great climbing photos. (Click magazine
cover to view article)
Read of McCall' role in
Band of Brothers - Remembering
Denali's Greatest Rescue
Listen to
Morton Wood Audio interview (Articles 7 and 19 mention McCall)
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