Charles W. Goodwin saved Elmer Bowling from drowning, New Trenton, Indiana, June 28, 1961. Elmer, 13, who could not swim, and his older brother, a poor swimmer, were wading In the Whitewater River and stepped into water seven feet deep in a gully, where they were submerged briefly. Elmer grasped his brother who, after being forced under water, broke free and swam to the bank. Charles, 14, schoolboy, who also was wading in the river, entered the area of deep water and swam five feet to Elmer, who had been submerged again and was flailing wildly. Elmer grasped Charles around the neck, forcing both under water. They surfaced with Elmer still clinging to the neck of Charles, who broke his hold. Elmer then grasped Charles by the hair and again caused both to be submerged briefly. Charles broke free and dived to get behind Elmer. As Elmer again sank, Charles took hold of him and surfaced with him. By then Elmer was inert. Charles supported Elmer as the swift current carried them 55 feet downstream to a bend in the river. Charles then towed Elmer 15 feet at an angle to the current and reached wadable water. The brother aided Charles in taking Elmer to the bank, where they administered artificial respiration. Elmer was revived and recovered.
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