| Name: | Phillip Marx |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Chicago Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | Firefighting operations, Search and rescue operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Honor |
| Year of Award: | 2006 |
| Incident City: | Chicago |
| Year of Incident: | 2004 |
| Incident Location Type: | Residential |
| Incident Attribute: | Fires |
Firefighter Phillip Marx of the Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 47 was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at an apartment fire in Chicago, Illinois on July 12, 2004.
Engine 47 arrived at an apartment fire and was told that victims were trapped on the third floor of the structure. Firefighter Marx made his way up an internal stairwell, through immense heat and thick smoke, to the third floor, which was now fully involved. Once there, he found a barely conscious woman who had suffered burns and was having trouble breathing. Marx tried to take her to safety through the stairwell, but it was now impenetrable. He then decided to take the victim to the third story window. He then arranged a window rescue. As this was being set up, fire broke out in the room they were in. Thinking quickly, Marx opened his coat and draped around the woman to protect her from the flames. As he got her to the ladder, the room flashed over, leaving Marx in a perilous position. Fortunately, he was able to escape from the inferno after making it to the ladder, which had been strategically placed for emergency egress.
Citations:
“Firehouse Heroism & Community Service Awards,” Firehouse, April, 2006.
“Gov. Blagojevich honors fallen firefighters, recognizes 28 other firefighters for extraordinary acts of bravery,” The Gong, July-September, 2006.