Dewey L. Crawford saved Dorsie L. Taylor and attempted to save Alan B. Swink from drowning, Moncks Corner, South Carolina, February 25,1962. When strong wind and waves up to four feet high caused their motorboat to capsize in deep and cold water in Lake Moultrie, Swink, 46, printer, Taylor, 52, service station proprietor, and Crawford, 29, Boy Scout executive, were submerged briefly a mile from shore. Swink again was submerged briefly and floundered. Crawford swam toward him, impeded by heavy attire, and threw a life jacket toward him; but the waves carried it away. After removing his coat, Crawford swam to Swink and pushed him to the boat which had surfaced upside down. Crawford then drew Taylor to the craft. All had difficulty holding to the bobbing boat as the waves washed over them. Crawford removed his boots and an outer pair of trousers. All began to feel numb. A large wave caused all three men to lose their holds. Crawford swam to Swink and then to Taylor, thrusting each in turn back to the boat. He then continued supporting Swink across the bottom of the boat first with his hands and later with one leg, to which Swink clung. Another large wave tore all three men from the craft. Crawford aided Swink and then Taylor, both rapidly weakening, back to the boat as before. He then submerged and searched inside the boat, but could find nothing to help support the men. Surfacing, he resumed holding Swink. Another large wave caused all to lose their holds. Swink and Crawford were submerged. Crawford surfaced and saw the hands of Swink 20 feet away. He swam to the area and submerged but could not locate Swink. He then swam 10 feet farther and submerged but still could not find him. Badly winded, Crawford floated and swam back to the boat. By then it had been more than three hours since the accident. A large wave caused Taylor to lose his hold, and he began to sink. Crawford grasped Taylor and supported him across the boat. When the water calmed considerably, Crawford pulled Taylor onto the boat, submerged and obtained a 10 foot clothesline from inside the craft. He returned to the surface and found that Taylor had been washed off the boat. Before Crawford could reach him, Taylor sank. Crawford swam to the area, submerged twice, and brought Taylor to the surface. He then towed him back to the boat and maneuvered him partially onto it. Taylor was not breathing, but Crawford revived him. He then tied the line around Taylor and around his own leg. By means of the line Crawford from the opposite side of the boat held Taylor partially out of the water. A wave caused both men to slide off the boat, and Taylor was submerged. Crawford pulled him to the surface and partially onto the craft. After again reviving Taylor, Crawford continued supporting him with the line. Six and a half hours after the accident three men arrived in a motorboat and took Taylor and Crawford to shore. They were hospitalized for shock and exposure and recovered. The body of Swink later was recovered.
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