Harwood S. Flippen, 19, timekeeper, saved Thomas M. Snellings, 18, clerk, from drowning, Richmond, Virginia, August 11, 1911. Snellings, who could not swim, fell into the James River at night and drifted away from the pier from which he fell. Flippen, fully clothed, dived and swam to him. Snellings was struggling violently. He struck Flippen a severe blow on the cheek and stunned him somewhat. Snellings then went beneath the surface. Flippen grasped his hair and pulled him to the surface, and Snellings grabbed him around the neck with both arms. Flippen freed himself, and Snellings immediately grabbed him again. Snellings held Flippen’s shoulder with one hand and held Flippen around the waist with the other, and with Snellings in that position Flippen swam 42 feet to the pier. Men lifted them to the pier and gave them attention. Both were about exhausted. 7198-923
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