Edward M. Ellis saved Rene A. Boucher from drowning, York Beach, Maine, July 24, 1942. While swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, Boucher, 36, salesman, got beyond his depth in a strong undercurrent. The surf was rough, waves being four feet high and breakers six to nine feet high. Boucher drifted to water 14 feet deep 200 feet from shore. Ellis, 21, student, gave some aid to a man and his wife near wadable water while two men swam to points near Boucher and returned to shore without aiding him. Ellis waded and then swam 160 feet to Boucher. Supporting him, Ellis with great exertion swam toward shore but made slow progress. In the breakers both were submerged and almost separated. Then aided by a wave, Ellis swam towing Boucher 130 feet, almost having reached the limit of his endurance. Another man swam to them in deep water with an inflated tire tube, which Boucher and Ellis grasped; and he and Ellis assisted Boucher to wadable water. Others then helped Boucher, who had become unconscious, to shore. Boucher was revived. Ellis was fatigued and nauseated. 39536-3280
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