Harold Ledyard Towle saved Shelva Jean Lankford from drowning, Merry Point, Virginia, July 5, 1951. While riding on an inflated tire-tube in the Carrotoman River, Shelva, 9, who could not swim, was swept into deep water by a strong wind and drifted 300 feet from the bank. Although warned by a physician to avoid exertion, Towle, 61, color engineer, ran 250 feet to the bank and entered the water. He waded 50 feet and with great effort swam 325 feet through waves two feet high to overtake Shelva. In a badly winded and weakened condition he took hold of Shelva and supported her. A man rowed a boat to them, and he and Towle aided Shelva from the water. Towle lacked strength to climb into the boat and grasped the gunwale. The man rowed towing Towle to wadable water, and all reached the bank. Shelva was extremely nervous, and she and Towle sustained numerous welts from stinging nettles. Both recovered. 42342-3773
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