J. F. Thomas saved two girls from drowning, Whitney, Texas, April 4, 1954. The unidentified girls, 8 and 5, who were sisters, were paddling a rowboat in an arm of Lake Whitney when the younger girl fell overboard and alternately sank and rose in deep water 12 feet from the bank. The older girl, a poor swimmer, jumped from the boat, which drifted away, but could make little headway toward her sister and floundered screaming for help five feet closer to the bank. Thomas, 30, aircraft factory assistant supervisor, who had only one arm, ran to the bank, jumped fully clothed into the water, and swam to the older girl, who seized his arm. Propelling himself with his feet, Thomas towed the girl seven feet to the base of the steep bank. He was submerged briefly as he thrust upward with all his strength and lifted the girl to safety on the bank. Thomas immediately swam to the younger girl, who had sunk just beneath the surface and was inert. He obtained a hold on her but again was submerged briefly in his attempt to raise her head above water. Turning over on his back, Thomas towed her to the bank, where they were aided from the water. The younger girl revived without resuscitation aid. Thomas was slightly winded. 43155-3935
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