Frederick C. Dean saved Marlene R. Keene from drowning, Superior, Wisconsin, April 26, 1961. Marlene, 7, who could not swim, fell from a bridge into the Nemadji River, where the strong current carried her downstream in water 12 feet deep 30 feet from each bank. Dean, 32, locomotive fireman, was driving across the bridge and learned of the situation. He ran 400 feet atop the bank to just ahead of Marlene, who was being kept afloat at midstream by air trapped in her clothing. Removing his jacket and boots, Dean descended the steep bank part way and then dived into the river. The current forced him downstream as he swam to Marlene, who still was conscious. Dean took hold of Marlene’s jacket and began towing her to the opposite bank. The cold water numbed him, and his arms tired rapidly. After being carried 25 feet farther downstream by the current, Dean reached the steep bank with Marlene but could neither climb out nor secure footing on the muddy river bottom. He grasped a clump of grass with one hand and held Marlene with the other until two men arrived and aided them onto the bank.
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