Earl D. Freeman, 16, schoolboy, saved Thomas R. Harrington, 6, from drowning, Oneonta, New York, May 3, 1954. Thomas, who could not swim, fell into deep water in the Susquehanna River and drifted in a current about three m.p.h. to underbrush lodged about the roots of a submerged tree 12 feet from the bank. Earl, a poor swimmer, was informed of the accident and reached the bank after a half a mile run from his home. Removing his shirt, he climbed onto a fallen tree, dived into the water, and drifted and swam 50 feet to Thomas. At Earl’s instruction Thomas took hold of his shoulders from behind. They were swept five feet farther downstream by the current as Earl tried to tow Thomas toward wadable water at the far bank. Thomas seized Earl, and they were submerged briefly. Rising, Earl got hold of a projecting limb and drew Thomas to their former position at the submerged tree. As Earl progressed six feet across the current towing Thomas, the latter slipped from his shoulders. Grasping Thomas by an arm, Earl continued six feet with him to the bank, where a man aided them from the water. 43262-3975
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