The Story of Herbert A. Wells

(as told by firefighter who was there at the LODD)

March 20, 1962 at the Naval Station, North Severn, across from the United States Naval Academy, was a condemned 50’ by 30’ living quarters, building 39 on Benion road. The particular quarters to be used for the drill was across from the guard shack (that lead to the David Taylor Research Center) next to the water tower. The quarters were destined to be demolished. The crew getting off shift went over to set up the burn for the relieving crew. The Assistant Fire Chief was the officer-in-charge of the drill.

Crews were to make two attacks, one from the back of the house and the other through the kitchen. The kitchen was oblong shaped and at the end of the kitchen was a door that lead into another room, which lead into the living room. The first crew in, was “B” platoon, a Captain and three firefighters with Herbie Wells on the nozzle.  Second crew were getting ready to make the second attack from the back when a firefighter of “B” platoon came staggering out of the quarters along with one firefighter leaving the Captain and Herbie in the quarters. An ambulance was dispatched to the location to take care of those overcome.  The fire department at the time were using MSA canister breathing apparatus with OBA’s (oxygen generating breathing apparatus which were only good for 2% carbon monoxide) as backup. The rescue team consisted of another Captain, Fire Inspector and two firefighters. The fire inspector picked up a charged line and started going into the quarters from the back. A primary search revealed the Captain of “B” platoon overcome and required mouth-to-mouth which saved his life and a secondary search was conducted thereby sending another crew in where Herbie Wells and the rest of initial crew had first made entrance into the kitchen. No one knew Herbie Wells had gone down behind the door (hiding his body), in the kitchen and unfortunately was not missed at that time. There was a search before the order; “everybody out let it burn!”  The quarters had burnt when it was brought to attention that Herbie’s car was there and no one knew where he was thereby rendering him unaccountable. It was only after the quarters had burnt down and another search conducted did they find Herbie’s body behind the door in the kitchen.

Herbie Wells worked at “Small Craft” right there on the Severn River when he was a sailor in the Navy. He would talk to the fire inspectors when they were conducting inspections of the facility and became very interested in the fire department. Following his discharge from the Navy Herbie filled out an application for the United States Naval Academy Fire Department were there was an opening and got the position as firefighter. The only fire fighting experience he had prior to his hiring was that in the Navy. Herbie was only there approximately eighteen months before the tragedy of his death. Herbie was from New Jersey (northern end outside of New York). He was buried near Newark with a full Honor Guard. Herbie loved the fire department.

Today located in station one is a bell (came from original station one) that was dedicated in 1997 to Herbert A. Wells at the opening of the new station one.