Edward Minor Brown, Sr., 37, butler, saved David L., 5, and Ival A. Craun, 27, from drowning, Leesburg, Virginia, June 3, 1952. Shortly before dusk, David, who could not swim, fell into the Potomac River from a dock and drifted in deep water in a current of 1.5 m.p.h. His mother Mrs. Craun swam 40 feet from the bank and reached David, who struggled and seized her around the neck. They drifted 60 feet farther from the bank, David alternately submerging and reappearing. Brown, who had not swum for 10 years, was apprised of the accident and ran 1,500 feet to the bank, losing his shoes in deep mud at the waterline. Removing his trousers, which had become caked with mud and impeded him, Brown entered the water and, swimming 125 feet, overtook David and his mother. The latter was greatly fatigued and barely was able to keep her head above water. David had lost consciousness and was submerged but still clung to Mrs. Craun. Brown drew David to the surface but was unable to pry him free. Releasing David, Brown took hold of Mrs. Craun. They drifted a 100 feet farther downstream, Brown in that distance towing Mrs. Craun and David with great effort to within 25 feet of the bank, where he gained footing. Brown waded pulling them to the bank and gave artificial respiration to David, who was revived. He and his mother recovered. Brown was fatigued. 3827-42601
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