Sarah Lee Buckvald, age 12, of Minneapolis, Minn., for her question:

WHAT IS THE CARNEGIE MEDAL?

Back in 1904 industrialist Andrew Carnegie established a multimillion dollar trust fund for a commission which would recognize heroes in the United States and Canada. Later he also set up similar commissions in Great Britain and in Western Europe.

Called the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, the foundation awards medals to people who have heroically saved or attempted to save the lives of others. The commission may also elect to give grants of money to the heroes in need, particularly to those who may have been injured while doing their heroic deeds. Grants are also made to needy families of heroes who have died in the performance of their acts.

The Carnegie commission's office is at 1932 Oliver Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222.