Edward H. Eckfeldt, III

Edward H. Eckfeldt III died helping to save Marilyn G. Walser from drowning, Bay Shore, New York, August 16, 1970. Darkness was falling when Mrs. Walser, 33, fell from a moving boat into Great South Bay and, having struck her head on the boat railing, landed unconscious in deep water, where she floated face up. Eckfeldt, 38, stockbroker, dived into the water and swam through whitecapped waves to Mrs. Walser. He held her at the surface as the boat’s pilot, Mrs. Walser’s husband, circled back to them. By that time only Mrs. Walser was at the surface, Eckfeldt having drowned. Her husband went to the aid of Mrs. Walser, who still was unconscious; and another boat picked them up. Eckfeldt’s body was washed ashore the next day. Mrs. Walser recovered after brief hospitalization.