Harold F. Perry saved Roger A. Fleenor and Raul Gonzales from drowning, Bluff City, Tennessee, August 27, 1983. Roger, 15, and Gonzales, 23, were swimming in the Holston River when Roger was seized by leg cramps. He panicked and submerged about 30 feet from the bank. Gonzales attempted to support Roger, who struggled with him. Perry, 36, machine operator, standing near the opposite bank, dived into the water and swam about 270 feet to Roger. After a brief struggle, Perry established a hold on Roger and swam to the closer bank, pulling him. Gonzales by then had tired and was bobbing in the water. Perry re-entered the river, swam to him, and took him to the bank.
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