Jack E. Perkins, 15, schoolboy, saved Nicholas Callas, 62, motel owner, from drowning, Reno, Nevada, June 27, 1958. Callas, who could not swim, fell from a bridge into turbulent water of the Truckee River 12 feet below and, losing consciousness, drifted face down with the swift current. Perkins ran 160 feet to the top of a 12-foot wall along the river bank, suspended himself from it, and dropped into the water. Unable to obtain footing on the rocky bottom, he swam 25 feet and reached Callas in water five feet deep. Turning Callas onto his back, Perkins secured a chin-hold on him and, because of the vertical wall at the nearest bank, began to tow him across the river. They were carried rapidly downstream as Perkins towed Callas at an angle to the current and toward a small island near the opposite bank. In an area of turbulent water where a tributary entered the river Perkins was submerged briefly but kept his hold on Callas. He continued to the island, towing Callas a total of 360 feet. Callas was revived and removed to a hospital, where he remained for two months
44755 – 4294
44755-4294