James K. Schlosser saved William E. Shaw from drowning, Woodstown, New Jersey, August 23, 1966. William, 9, who could not swim, fell from a pier into the stagnant water of a lake and called for help as he flailed wildly 20 feet from the bank. He was submerged several times, swallowing water. James, 10, schoolboy, ran to the pier and without delaying to remove any of his attire jumped into the lake. He swam to William, who then was at the surface in water seven feet deep seven feet from the corner of the pier. William grasped James by the shoulders, and they sank beneath the surface, where he kicked at James and tried to climb onto him. Both swallowed water. James surfaced with William and urged him to be calm. William’s struggles again caused them to be submerged briefly. James broke free by pushing William, who was propelled 18 inches toward the pier and then was submerged briefly again. From behind, James pushed William forcibly, moving him five and a half feet to alongside a piling of the pier. William, coughing and choking, continued flailing. James swam to him and made sure he had a firm grip on the piling. Swimming to the bank, James climbed out and made his way on the pier to where William was holding to the piling three and a half feet below. Lying prone, James held to the top of the piling and extended one hand to William, who grasped it. James then pulled upward on William, aiding him in climbing onto the pier.
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