Amelia K. Funk saved Robert R. Clifford from drowning, Huntington Beach, California, August 19, 1941. While swimming in the Pacific Ocean, Clifford, 22, became distressed 660 feet from shore in water 30 feet deep. From shore Mrs. Funk, 27, waitress, waded and then swam toward Clifford; and fearing he might struggle with her, she purposely submerged and swam the last 10 feet under the surface to him, having swum 600 feet in all. Getting hold of his foot, she rose above the surface and then realized that he was nearly unconscious. Shifting her hold to his belt, she swam toward shore in choppy swells six feet high. She became greatly fatigued and several times trod water and rested. One hundred feet from shore she stood up in water five feet deep, rested, and then waded to a point 60 feet from shore, where her husband relieved her of Clifford. She waded to shore and helped to revive Clifford, becoming nearly exhausted. 39211-3255
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