His actions were credited for saving the aircraft and its eight - man crew .
Despite being wounded by shrapnel Levitow picked up the flare , crawled to the open cargo door , and threw the flare out of the plane .
Levitow 's actions were credited for saving the aircraft and its eight - man crew .
Despite being wounded by shrapnel Levitow picked up the flare , crawled to the open cargo door , and threw the flare out of the plane .