Bobby J. Cherry saved Bruce W. Whitaker from drowning, Williamston, North Carolina, May 22, 1960. While swimming in a pond, Bruce, 15, schoolboy, got into difficulty 15 feet from the bank and called for help as he submerged intermittently in water nine feet deep. His older brother, only a fair swimmer, went to his aid but returned to the bank after Bruce struggled violently with him and pulled him beneath the surface. Bobby, 15, schoolboy, ran 280 feet to the bank opposite Bruce. He jumped into the water and swam to where Bruce by then had disappeared beneath the surface of the muddy water. After submerging without locating Bruce and surfacing briefly, Bobby submerged deeper and probed the water. Bruce then grasped Bobby’s legs and dragged him to the bottom of the pond. With effort Bobby freed one leg and kicked, striking Bruce in the ribs and causing him to release his hold. Although experiencing intense chest pain from holding his breath, Bobby secured a hold on Bruce’s wrist and surfaced with him. He towed Bruce, who then was unconscious, to near the bank. A man aided him in removing Bruce from the water. Although badly winded, Bobby applied artificial respiration to Bruce who was revived.
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