Special operations airman pulls man from burning car

When he saw a car being engulfed by flames, Senior Airman Dalton Clark did not hesitate to act. 

Assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing, Clark was driving in heavy traffic toward Hurlburt Field, Florida, last month when he first saw black smoke from the burning car. Then he saw that someone was inside the vehicle. The scene reminded Clark of his good friend, who was killed in a December 2025 car fire. 

“Honestly, that’s all I was thinking about in that moment,” Clark, 25, told Task & Purpose. “Anything to do with cars and fire now, that’s just kind of what my mind escapes to. And in that moment, I just feel like all I was thinking about was saving him.”

As others at the scene took video of the rapidly growing flames, Clark parked his truck onto the grassy median and ran across the highway to reach the man despite oncoming traffic. The closer Clark got to the burning vehicle, the more intense the heat became.

“It was excruciating,” said Clark, an air transportation specialist. “I actually had the blister on my right calf from the way I opened the door because of how hot the car was, and I didn’t even realize because of the adrenaline at that time.”

The man inside the car was conscious but apparently in a state of shock — not moving and confused, Clark said.

By this time, the situation had grown dire. The fire had fully engulfed the front of the car and flames were now shooting from underneath the vehicle.

“There were literally flames at his feet,” Clark said.

With no time to waste, Clark grabbed the man by the shoulder and pulled him out of the car. He then helped the man to his feet and they began getting away from the burning car, reaching safety.

Clark said he was unsure from indications at the scene how the blaze started before he arrived. The vehicle had not been involved in a collision. After pulling the man out, Clark asked him if he understood that his car was burning.

“He just kept shaking his head, no,” Clark said. “He wasn’t really being very vocal, but he did end up thanking me and telling me he didn’t realize that the car was on fire.”

Eventually, firefighters and other emergency responders arrived at the scene. The man appeared to be injured, and Clark later heard that the man was doing alright following the ordeal.

“I was surprised he had no bodily injuries,” Clark said.

Clark credited his Air Force training for being able to react so quickly to the situation. He added that he believes his friend who died last year was with him when he rescued the man.

“This friend of mine was someone I’ve known since Kindergarten, and his mom is like my mom,” Clark said. “It’s just a tragedy. But in that moment, all I thought about was my friend, and I know he helped me through that process, and I know he’s proud of me, and that means a lot to me.” 

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