George M. Kissinger, III

George M. Kissinger III saved Lorene R. O’Brien from drowning, Loyalsock, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1934. While swimming in Loyalsock Creek, Mrs. O’Brien, 27, lost self-control and sank in water 10 feet deep 15 feet from the nearer bank. Kissinger, 22, student, who was in a rundown physical condition, ran 450 feet to the other bank of the creek. After removing his outer clothing, he waded and then swam 135 feet to the point where Mrs. O’Brien had disappeared. Kissinger plunged under the surface but failed to get hold of her. He rose, winded, and swam 10 feet to a rowboat, which was being very poorly handled by a woman. He rested his elbow on the gunwale for a few seconds and then swam to the point where Mrs. O’Brien had sunk. He again went under the surface, took hold of Mrs. O’Brien, rose, swam 10 feet to the boat, and held to it with one hand until he recovered his breath. Supporting Mrs. O’Brien, he then swam toward the bank, and when he got within seven feet of it, he tried to touch bottom and was briefly submerged. Swimming three feet farther, he got footing in water to his shoulders, waded to the bank, and worked over Mrs. O’Brien. Others arrived, and Mrs. O’Brien was revived in 15 minutes.