Henry Clifton Story, 19, surveyor rodman, helped to save Donna R. Napier, 30, and Ivan Napier, Jr., aged thirty-two, automobile salesman, from drowning, South Bay, Florida, December 16, 1966. When Mrs. Napier’s automobile plunged into the polluted water of a canal, her husband went to her aid; and both were submerged with the vehicle when it sank in water 35 feet deep. Mrs. Napier rose to the surface inert, and her husband attempted to support her but was so nearly exhausted that both were submerged intermittently. Story, who with two other men had noted the situation, jumped into the water fully clothed and swam to Napier and his wife, who were 60 feet from the bank. Story obtained a hold on Mrs. Napier in order to tow her to the bank. Napier grasped the shoulders of Story, causing him to dip beneath the surface briefly. With Napier still holding to one shoulder, Story tried to tow Mrs. Napier but found progress difficult. He urged Napier to try to support himself. Napier released Story, who then towed Mrs. Napier 50 feet. Weakened by swimming while wearing boots, Story called for assistance. Another man waded five feet to Story and aided him in taking Mrs. Napier to the bank. Napier, who had regained strength and had swum to wadable water, also was aided out of the canal. Mrs. Napier was revived.
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