Gerard B. Daggett, Jr., helped to save James C. Gardner from drowning, Midland Beach, New York, November 15, 1959. When Gardner, 55, porter, who could not swim, fell into Lower Bay from the end of Midland Beach jetty 450 feet from shore, his companion, incapacitated by an injured hand, called for someone to go to his aid. Gerard, 13, schoolboy, ran 950 feet to the end of the jetty, removed his jacket and shoes, and jumped into the cold water eight and a half feet below. He swam to Gardner, who was floating in water 10 feet deep nine feet from the jetty. Gerard secured a hold on Gardner and towed him 35 feet toward rocks alongside the jetty. Tiring rapidly from his exertions in the cold water, Gerard then towed Gardner to the vertical side of the concrete jetty and called for assistance. While attempting without success to climb the slippery side, Gerard struck his head on the concrete. The other man removed his shirt and trousers, tied them together, and lowered one trouser leg to Gardner, who grasped it. Gerard continued to support Gardner as the man and another who had been attracted pulled them toward the rocks 40 feet away. Gerard called out that he could not support Gardner much longer. Two patrolmen then arrived with a rope and a ring-type life preserver. The preserver was thrown to Gerard, and one of the patrolmen while holding the line lowered himself into the water and took hold of Gardner. Gerard and the patrolman supported Gardner as the men drew all three to the rocks, from where they were aided onto the jetty. Gardner and Gerard both were hospitalized for exposure, and Gardner developed pneumonia. They recovered. 44984-4385
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