Clarence W. Wilkerson, Jr., saved Jose O. Morales from drowning, Port Mansfield, Texas, June 1, 1961. When he attempted to swim to a dory which had broken loose from a flotilla of three sailboats being towed by a cabin cruiser in Redfish Bay, Jose, 15, schoolboy, played out from swimming against the current and waves two to three feet high. He called for help. Clarence, 16, schoolboy, dived from one of the sailboats and with effort swam 90 feet to Jose, who was in deep water a mile from shore. Clarence raised Jose, who was barely conscious, so that his head was above water. The waves washed over them, and Clarence tired rapidly. Doubting that he had strength enough to tow Jose back to the flotilla, which then was 200 feet away, Clarence trod water. His legs became very heavy, and with difficulty he remained afloat with Jose until the flotilla had circled to within 10 feet of them. With great effort Clarence then towed Jose to the nearest sailboat after having supported him for approximately 10 minutes, and both were taken aboard. Clarence was near exhaustion. Both recovered.
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