James F. Sullivan helped to save Stephanie G. Dennis and John R. Gochenour from drowning, Rockaway, Oregon, August 8, 1987. Mrs. Dennis, 43, and Gochenour, 29, were thrown into the Pacific Ocean when the 19-foot boat on which they were traveling was capsized by rough seas. Sullivan, 60, retired, and two other men were fishing aboard another boat two miles away on the Nehalem River when they learned of the accident. Without hesitating, the men proceeded through eight- to 12-foot breakers to the accident scene. While the skipper of their boat maintained control of it, Sullivan and the other man pulled Mrs. Dennis and Gochenour aboard; during the rescue, a breaker washed over the boat, causing it to list and threaten to capsize. After they were returned to shore, Mrs. Dennis and Gochenour were treated for hypothermia, and they recovered.
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