E. Kurt Slavin saved John A. Dubich from drowning, Loretto, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1963. When he dived from a dam into cold water in a lake, John, 13, suffered a sharp stomach cramp. Gasping for breath, he struggled to stay afloat in water 14 feet deep, his actions carrying him to 25 feet from the dam. Kurt, 13, schoolboy, who was dressing atop the dam after having been swimming, saw John sink and then surface in obvious distress. Undressing to his swimming trunks, Kurt dived into the water and swam toward John. Just before Kurt reached him, John again sank. Grasping John’s upraised arm, Kurt pulled him upward and attempted to draw him onto his back. John grasped Kurt around the neck, causing both to be submerged. Kurt freed himself, and both surfaced. From behind, Kurt attempted to obtain a hold across John’s chest. John flailed wildly, striking Kurt on his nose, which bled. Kurt slapped John to help quiet him and then secured a hold across his chest. Kurt then towed John 25 feet to the dam, where they were aided from the water.
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