J. Thomas Bell, Jr., 15, schoolboy, saved Reba E. Smith, 22, from drowning, Juniper, Georgia, July 26, 1942. Miss Smith and a man were wading in Lake Juniper, and the man fell and pulled her into water nine feet deep. Thomas, who was bare-footed, ran 1,200 feet over rough ground to the bank. His feet were cut and bruised, and he was winded. The man then was under the surface near Miss Smith, but Thomas was not aware of his presence. Thomas waded and then swam 45 feet to Miss Smith and took hold of her. She took hold of his arm. Thomas swam towing Miss Smith 35 feet to wadable water, where a man relieved him of Miss Smith. He waded to the bank, fell from weakness, and lay for a half an hour. Men in a boat reached Miss Smith’s companion, but he could not be revived. 39604-3293
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39604-3293