A pal over there in the Garden State sets me straight on the 1982 DC plane disaster:

Sorry, Derb, but the reader is partially wrong. The HOTH died as a result of his efforts, rendering his actions even more tragic.
JJ Miller’s blivet.
Wikipedia Entry.
If I recall correctly, Reagan lauded the “sixth passenger” Arland D. Williams Jr.,extensively in his speech, and later introduced the other rescuers who were present, including Mr. Stutnick. Later, in january of 1985, the HOTH was a Cadet Nyguyen,. from South Vietnam, who was honored for her travel as a child from Vietnam as one of the ‘boat people’, came to America, learned English, gained admittance to West Point, and graduated near the top of her class. She was also a plebe in my cadet company.

[Derb] When the HOTH business started in SOTU the other day, the following thought crossed my mind: If GWB honors some “undocumented worker,” I shall never vote Republican again.