Actor James Woods and neighbor to receive Life Saving Medal for their actions during Palisades Fire

Actor James Woods and his neighbor Robert Trinkkeller will be presented with the Sons of the American Revolution Life Saving Medal for their actions during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles in January.

The medal presentation will take place at noon tomorrow, Friday, April 25 at the Hilton Orange County Hotel in Costa Mesa, during the California SAR’s 150th Annual Meeting of the Membership.

During the chaos of evacuations in Wood’s devastated neighborhood, he became concerned about his elderly neighbor, who suffers from dementia and lives next door.

It turns out the man had been left alone in his home by a caretaker who was evacuated.

Through a series of quick actions, Woods was able to reach another neighbor who had not evacuated, Robert Trinkkeller, and help direct him to a small room where the elderly neighbor was often seen sitting. The elderly neighbor was rescued, and the house burned down about an hour later. He would have perished if not for the actions of Woods and Trinkkeller.

“God was on his side,” Woods said at the time.

The Life Saving Medal recognizes the actions of a person who was directly responsible for the saving or prolonging of a human life.

James Woods is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. His patriot ancestor, Gustavus Rape, fought in several engagements, including the Battle of Eutaw Springs and Battle of Cowpens, where he was wounded when a musket ball struck his ammunition box, causing it to explode.

Robert Trinkkeller descends from Thomas Nelson, Jr. a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Brigadier General, Governor of Virginia and a delegate to the Continental Congress. Trinkkeller is currently applying for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.

For information contact Dave Gilliard, California SAR Media and Public Relations Chairman, at (916) 626-6804 or (916) 849-1756.