Edward G. Pitcher attempted to rescue Norman F. Stamnitz from exposure, Sebewaing, Michigan, December 18, 1941. Stamnitz, 27, trapper, broke through ice on Saginaw Bay into water four feet deep 2,100 feet from a sandbar. From the bar Pitcher, 45, fisherman and trapper, walked on the ice and pushed a sled 1,800 feet toward Stamnitz, and then the ice broke under him. With an ax he laboriously chopped ice ahead of him and waded to Stamnitz, who was greatly weakened. He then waded towing Stamnitz toward the bar. Reaching the unbroken ice, with the ax he broke ice and towed Stamnitz 65 feet farther. Stamnitz then was limp, and Pitcher lifted him onto the ice. He then repeatedly shoved Stamnitz ahead of him, broke ice, and waded to him, moving Stamnitz 260 feet nearer the bar. Pitcher then had been in the water for two hours, and his legs became numb and stiff. Fearing he would be overcome by exposure, Pitcher left Stamnitz on the ice and pushed himself on the sled to the bar. Exercising and restoring feeling to his legs, he then walked a mile and three quarters and obtained help for Stamnitz. Two other men broke ice for 300 feet toward Stamnitz and then pushed a sled to him and got him back to the bar. Stamnitz was dead. Pitcher was disabled for two weeks. 39370-3284
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