Gorman D. Colling, 27, telephone staff supervisor, saved Albert A. Kent, 5, from drowning, Tillamook, Oregon, August 4, 1964. Albert was in a two-door sedan driven by his grandmother when the automobile veered from the highway and plunged into Wilson River. It sank to the bottom 15 feet from the bank in water six to eight feet deep. Colling removed his shirt and shoes and lunged into the cold water. He swam to the submerged sedan but was able to open the door only slightly because of the strong current. From a prone position an the roof in water 12 to 18 inches deep, he submerged his head and arms far enough to force the door open farther. Holding it ajar with difficulty, Colling submerged his head alongside the automobile but saw only floating cushions and other articles inside the sedan. He removed some items and located Albert, who was unconscious. Colling quickly pulled Albert from the automobile and towed him 25 feet diagonally across the current to persons near the bank. While they revived Albert, Colling returned to the automobile and searched inside. Two men also swam to the sedan and attached a chain to it. The automobile was pulled by a truck to within eight feet of the bank. The grandmother was removed but could not be revived. Albert recovered.
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