Edward M. Cullen, 36, field superintendent of a packing company, saved an unidentified young man and Kenneth H. Bushey, 37, welder, from drowning, San Clemente, California, May 27, 1951. The young man was bathing in rough surf in the Pacific Ocean 25 feet from Bushey when both were caught in a strong current and carried into deep water beyond a line of breakers four feet high. The shouts of others at the shore attracted Cullen, and he waded into the surf and swam to the man, who was floundering in high swells 150 feet from shore. The man seized Cullen, who forcibly broke free of the man. Calming the man and obtaining a hold around his chest, Cullen towed the man to wadable water and aided him to shore. Cullen was tired and winded from his efforts. Soon afterward he sighted Bushey, who had been swept 450 feet from shore, and reentered the water. A woman waded from shore and handed him an inflated tire tube. He swam through the breaker line and continued to Bushey. As he tried to take hold of Bushey, the latter sank. Cullen raised Bushey’s head above water and placed the tube around him. Bushey was too weak to hold to the tube. Cullen felt the strong pull of the current as he began towing Bushey toward shore. Cullen with great effort towed Bushey to wadable water 25 feet from shore. Others aided them from the surf. Bushey was exhausted and suffered from shock, and Cullen was extremely fatigued. Both recovered. 3876-42856
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