Donovan E. Radford, Jr.

Donovan E. Radford, Jr., helped to save Robert J. Stull from drowning, Portersville, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1963. Robert, 15, schoolboy, who could not swim, fell into a creek and was submerged in water 10 feet deep near an area of rapids above a dam. Donovan, 20, newspaper distributor, jumped into the creek fully clothed and swam to Robert, who rose 10 feet from the bank, flailing wildly and choking on water he had swallowed. As Robert again sank, Donovan took hold of him by the hair and lifted his head above the surface. Robert grasped Donovan around the neck and attempted to climb onto him, causing both to be submerged. Donovan returned to the surface still in the grasp of Robert, who sank again after Donovan broke his hold. Tiring rapidly, Donovan again grasped him by the hair and drew him to the surface. Ronald R. Radford started toward his brother and Robert but fell on rocks along the bank and lost his glasses, without which he could see very little. As Robert continued to struggle violently with Donovan and they moved farther from the bank, Ronald jumped into the creek fully clothed, including heavy boots. While Ronald was swimming to them, Robert’s actions caused him and Donovan to be submerged again. Donovan broke free of Robert and surfaced alone, tired and winded. Twenty feet from the bank, Ronald dived from the surface in the area indicated by his brother. Four feet under water he located Robert, who was inert, and surfaced with him 30 feet from the rapids. Donovan led the way for Ronald, who towed Robert 15 feet toward the bank. Beginning to revive, Robert squirmed and coughed as Ronald towed him the rest of the way. Ronald and Donovan, aided by a man, lifted Robert onto the bank.