James Buchanan, Jr., saved Randy, L. Freeman and Stevie L. Riley from drowning, Cheraw, South Carolina, May 2, 1970. While trying to cross the Great Pee Dee River, Randy, 12, and Stevie, 11, were swept downstream by a strong current and began flailing wildly. Buchanan, 22, weaver, ran 60 feet, removed most of his clothing, and entered the water. Wading and swimming 190 feet diagonally across the current, he overtook Randy in deep water and towed him 30 feet to the nearest bank. Buchanan then swam 60 feet to overtake Stevie, who was nearly unconscious and was almost completely submerged in deep water 30 feet from the bank. By then Buchanan was tired and, while trying to tow Stevie across the current, was carried 45 feet downstream. He was about 20 feet from the bank when he obtained a hold on a fallen tree, lifted Stevie onto it, and then climbed onto it himself. After Buchanan had forced water from him, Stevie began to revive. A man made his way along the tree and took Stevie to the bank as Buchanan followed.
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