Evan G. Conley, 18, student, helped to save Thomas W. Donovan, 30, store clerk, from drowning, Seaside Park, New Jersey, June 26, 1966. Donovan was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean when he experienced cramps . He called for help, and then was submerged briefly several times as he was carried seaward by an undercurrent. Conley ran 650 feet, undressed to his swimming trunks, and entered the water. He swam through three lines of breakers and reached Donovan, who then was 300 feet from shore in water nine feet deep. He had swallowed some water and was floundering. Urging Donovan to be calm, Conley took hold of him, turned him onto his back, and started to tow him shoreward. A swell washed over Donovan, who panicked and grasped Conley. They were submerged briefly together, and Conley also swallowed some water. By the time Donovan became too tired to struggle further, they had been carried 50 feet farther from shore. Conley again swam toward the beach with Donovan. Progress was slow, and after towing Donovan 100 feet Conley was so fatigued he felt he could go no farther. He supported Donovan and managed to keep from being carried seaward again. A young man, a member of the armed services, then arrived. The man and Conley, who aided as best he could, towed Donovan 100 feet to wadable water and then took him the rest of the way to the beach.
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