Dennis W. Friedel, 17, schoolboy, saved Harlan J. Johnson, 49, bus driver, from drowning, Seaford, Delaware, March 12, 1968. At night an automobile containing Johnson and another man veered from the highway and entered a millpond. The two men climbed out and, although unable to see the banks of the pond, began swimming. A man who could not swim arrived at the pond with a flashlight and saw the two men floundering in the cold water. Friedel joined the man on the bank. Johnson then was calling for help as he thrashed about in water 15 feet deep 30 feet from the bank. His companion had drowned. Friedel removed his shirt and shoes and, with the flashlight beam as a guide, waded and swam to Johnson. The latter flailed wildly and then lost consciousness. Friedel tried to tow Johnson, who outweighed him by 15 pounds. He had difficulty but with effort managed to move Johnson toward the bank. Friedel became tired, and several times he went under briefly. After towing Johnson 10 feet, Friedel found footing and waded the rest of the way to the bank with him. Johnson was revived.
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