J. Michael Farrell, 16, schoolboy, saved Therese M. Knowlton, 26, and Edward F. Knowlton, 26, railroad conductor, from drowning, Highland Park, Illinois, July 4, 1946. In choppy water in Lake Michigan, Mrs. Knowlton got into distress, drifting from a sandbar into water 10 feet deep 550 feet from shore; and her husband Edward became exhausted swimming to her. Farrell swam to Mrs. Knowlton and with difficulty towed her and Knowlton, whom she held, toward shore. He became fatigued and dipped under the surface twice. Mrs. Knowlton repeatedly lost hold of Knowlton, who became unconscious; and each time Farrell pulled him to her. After Farrell had towed the Knowltons 450 feet, he and another swimmer who had pushed an air mattress from shore held Knowlton on the mattress and swam 40 feet to wadable water, Mrs. Knowlton holding to the mattress. Knowlton was revived. Farrell was near complete exhaustion. 40748-3477
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40748-3477