Happy J. Hipshire, Jr., helped to save Elizabeth H. and H. J. Brawley from drowning, Niles, Michigan, April 11, 1964. When their rowboat capsized in Barron Lake 150 feet from the bank, the Brawleys, who were heavily clothed and had not swum for many years, were submerged in extremely cold water 20 feet deep. Mrs. Brawley, 70, rose under the overturned boat. Her husband, also 70, surfaced and shouted for help. Hipshire, 16, schoolboy, ran 150 feet to the lake, noting that none of the others there was preparing to give aid. Fully clothed, he waded 10 feet into the water and was in mud to his knees. Freeing his legs, he swam with some difficulty through weeds and continued to near the overturned craft. He dived from the surface and saw Mrs. Brawley flailing beneath the boat, where there was 18 inches of air space. Hipshire took hold of her by the legs and pulled her to three feet beneath the surface. He changed his hold to her shoulders and surfaced with her near her husband, who was clinging to the boat. A man arrived in a motorboat and aided Hipshire in getting Mrs. Brawley aboard. Another boat arrived, and the operator attempted to pull Brawley out of the water, causing the craft to rock. Fearing the boat would capsize, Hipshire swam to Brawley, whose watersoaked clothing added greatly to his weight. He attempted to aid Brawley into the craft but was unable to do so. He called for the other boat to move alongside. Hipshire then positioned himself between the boats and steadied them while Brawley was removed from the water. All returned to the bank.
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