Frank R. Staples, Jr.,attempted to save Alice R. Kearney from drowning, Westhampton, Massachusetts, April 30, 1942. At night a canoe in which Alice, 15, and four others were riding in Pine Island Lake overturned in water 12 feet deep 550 feet from shore. While the others tried to take hold of the canoe, which repeatedly turned over, Alice swam 150 feet parallel with shore in the general direction of a pier. From the pier Staples, 18, factory hand, swam 710 feet to Alice, being guided by her calls for help. He turned Alice onto her back and towed her eight feet toward the canoe; but she splashed, got free of his hold, and began to dip under the surface. Staples got hold of her again; but she threw her arms around his neck; and they were submerged briefly twice, during which Staples broke her hold. He tried again to turn her onto her back, but he was choking and felt weak and faint. Alice sank. Staples groped under the surface and then dived once but did not find her. Staples, who was becoming weaker, then swam to the pier and became unconscious. Meanwhile another youth swam to the canoe, to which the others held, and towed it to shore. He then found Staples with his chest on the pier and his legs in the water. Staples was revived and recovered. Alice was
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