In the early evening of January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into Washington DC’s 14th Street Bridge and plunged into the Potomac River, just minutes after take-off from Washington National Airport. Only six passengers survived the crash, all of whom clung to the tail section of the plane as it sunk slowly into the freezing, ice-clogged waters.
Arnold D. Williams, Jr. was one of those passengers. As rescue workers and ordinary civilians tried desperately to reach the injured and frightened survivors, Arnold proceeded to demonstrate one of most dramatic and valiant acts of courage any of that day’s witnesses would ever see.
But let’s step back from the crash for a moment. Who was this man in the water? Was he a soldier or a decorated
Arnold D. Williams, Jr. was one of those passengers. As rescue workers and ordinary civilians tried desperately to reach the injured and frightened survivors, Arnold proceeded to demonstrate one of most dramatic and valiant acts of courage any of that day’s witnesses would ever see.
But let’s step back from the crash for a moment. Who was this man in the water? Was he a soldier or a decorated