Glenn A. Miller died attempting to save Robert J. Hickman from drowning, Hamilton, Illinois, August 16, 1936. While Robert, 9, sat astride his shoulders, a youth waded in the Mississippi River and stepped into deep water; and they were submerged briefly at a point 80 feet from the bank, where the water was 11 feet deep. Pulling Robert from his shoulders and throwing him several feet toward the bank, the youth swam toward the bank. Robert grabbed the youth around the neck as he passed him, and they were submerged briefly. Robert lost his hold, and the youth held Robert’s arm and tried to swim, but he made no progress. From the bank Miller, 20, farm-hand, who was a poor swimmer, waded 65 feet and then swam 15 feet to Robert, taking hold under his armpits from the rear. At once they were submerged and rose several feet apart. Robert sank within a few seconds, and Miller sank a short time later. Both were drowned. The youth meanwhile swam to wadable water.
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