Dee Zirkle saved Jo Ann Patterson and Earl E. Hicks from drowning, Newport Beach, California, April 1, 1951. While bathing in the Pacific Ocean, Hicks, 23, suffered cramp and was swept into deep water 350 feet from shore by a strong current. Swimming toward him, his fiancee Miss Patterson, 18, became tired in water eight feet deep 300 feet from shore and called for help. Zirkle, 18, student, waded from shore and swam to Miss Patterson through breakers two feet high. Towing her 25 feet parallel to the shore to get out of the area of strong current, he turned shoreward and swam supporting her. He gained footing 200 feet from shore and assisted her from the water. Seeing Hicks bob briefly to the surface, Zirkle again entered the water. He swam to where Hicks had emerged 350 feet from shore and observed the latter drifting just below the surface. Zirkle reached Hicks, who was inert, and took hold of him but was unable to raise him from the water. Grasping Hicks by the hair, he emerged and towed him beyond the strong current. Zirkle with difficulty turned shoreward and towed Hicks to wadable water. Others arrived and assisted him in dragging Hicks from the water. Hicks was revived. Miss Patterson had swallowed water but recovered. Zirkle was fatigued and winded but recovered. 42244-3703
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