Charles T. Davis saved Ruby J. Greathouse from drowning, Portage Lakes, Ohio, January 12, 1965. Ruby, 7, who could not swim, slid off the edge of an ice shelf extending 35 feet from the bank of a reservoir and fell into a three-foot space between the ice and a large float, where the water was 15 feet deep. Her screams attracted Davis, 40, insurance salesman, who ran 50 feet to the reservoir, removing his topcoat and suit coat. He started to walk on the ice but broke through. By using his feet, fists, and body, Davis broke a path in the ice to water five feet deep 20 feet from the bank. By that time Ruby twice had been submerged briefly. Tired from his exertions, Davis dived under the ice, scraping his shoulder. With his eyes open he swam 20 feet farther from the bank but did not find Ruby. He surfaced and found he was under the float five feet beyond the ice shelf. Seeing Ruby sink again near the ice, Davis submerged and swam to her. He took her to the surface and grasped the edge of the float as he became fatigued. Holding Ruby, Davis made his way around the float to a ladder, pausing frequently to rest. With difficulty he climbed the ladder with Ruby and collapsed on the float, nearly exhausted and badly bruised. Others arrived, and firemen using a boat removed Ruby and Davis to the bank.
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