Ian D. Groves saved John H. Wilde from drowning, South Laguna, California, February 2, 1945. While Ian, 16, schoolboy, and John, 14, schoolboy, were standing on a sandbar that blocked the mouth of Aliso Creek, rising water in the creek swept away the bar and carried them in rough surf which extended for 100 feet into the Pacific Ocean. Waves six feet high moved shoreward, and Ian was washed to shore above the creek. John trod water and drifted farther from shore in a strong current. Ian ran 900 feet to obtain a jacket-life-preserver and then ran back to the ocean. He removed his outer clothing, and a man who had arrived with a long line attached one end around Grove’s waist. Carrying the life-preserver, Ian ran 50 feet in the surf, plunged through a wave, and swam toward John. At a point 200 feet from shore he became aware that he had lost the line. He continued to swim to John, reaching him in water 20 feet deep 670 feet from shore. After tying the life-preserver on John, Ian swam and towed him toward shore. At a point 75 feet from shore he became very tired; and swimming behind John, he pushed him shoreward as a wave broke. John was carried to shallow water, and Ian rode to shallow water on a succeeding wave. He was fatigued and trembled violently. Men, who had arrived on shore, carried John and Ian to Ian’s home. Both recovered within a few hours. 40383-3414
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