Medal
Object number2017.50.1 a-f
Artist
J.E. Caldwell & Company
Date1946
OriginPhiladelphia, PA
MediumBronze; Wood; Leather; Paper; Metal; Velvet; Ink
Credit LineMatthew D. Krejdovsky and Robert T. Schwer
DescriptionCarnegie Hero Fund medal with case, box, and newspaper clipping.DimensionsDiameter x Depth (a): 2.938 × 0.313 in. (7.5 × 0.8 cm)Height x Width x Depth (b): 4.438 × 4.75 × 1.125 in. (11.3 × 12.1 × 2.9 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c): 5.125 × 5.375 × 0.375 in. (13 × 13.7 × 1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (d): 4.875 × 4.875 × 0.375 in. (12.4 × 12.4 × 1 cm)
Length x Width (e): 11.625 × 4.75 in. (29.5 × 12.1 cm)
Length x Width (f): 7.75 × 2.875 in. (19.7 × 7.3 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Front has raised text along top "CARNEGIE HERO FUND" and bottom "ESTABLISHED APRIL 15TH 1904".
Reverse has plaque containing raised text "JOSEPH G. PERHACH / WHO ATTEMPTED TO SAVE / CARL H. LUNDERSTADT / FROM SUFFOCATION / DUQUESNE, PA. / FEBRUARY 22, 1946".
Reverse has raised text around perimeter "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS".
(b)
Front has impressed text at center "CARNEGIE / MEDAL".
(c)
White painted text on top at center "CARNEGIE / MEDAL".
(e)
Printed black text overall on both sides.
Front has text along top "HOMESTEAD, PA., SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1946" and featured article with headline "Homeville Man / Awarded Medal / By Hero Fund" and subheadline "JOSEPH PERHACH HONORED / FOR GOING TO RESCUE / IN GAS-FILLED PIT".
(f)
Printed black text overall on both sides.
Front has continued article from Part e with headline "HOMEVILLE MAN".
Marks(a)
Bottom edge has inscribed text "PAT. DEC. 11. '06 J.E. CALDWELL & CO. PHILA. BRONZE".
(b)
Interior back has gold text along bottom edge "J.E. CALDWELL & CO. PHILADELPHIA".
(c)
Interior of the lid has text painted in white "J.E. Caldwell & Company / Philadelphia".
Historical NotesCarnegie Hero Fund bronze medal awarded the the donors’ uncle Joseph Perhach in 1946. The Carnegie Hero Fund was established in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie after the Harwick Mine Disaster and the bravery of two men who died attempting to rescue some of the miners. After that year the fund would find people every year who committed acts of heroism and award them the medal and a benefit award, the benefit award went towards death benefits, disablement benefits, or betterment benefits, such as the purchase of a home. In Joseph’s case the letters donated show the scrutiny the Fund applied to the use of the benefits awarded. Joseph received his award for his attempt to rescue Carl Lunderstadt from suffocation in a pit at Duquesne Works on February 22, 1946. Joe was able to get him out, but Carl did not survive. Several other men at the Works were awarded medals for their attempts to save men from the pit, including Carl.
Previous owner
Joseph Perhach
Related person
Carl H. Lunderstadt
Related person
Andrew Carnegie
(1835 - 1919)
Related institution
United States Steel Corporation
Related institution
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
On View
Not on view
c. 1944
1945
