Jeffrey Louis Bernard saved David O. Miller from drowning, Coburg, Oregon, November 27, 1965. In the McKenzie River, a boat containing Jeffrey, 16, schoolboy, David, 16, schoolboy, and another youth capsized 40 feet from the bank in chilly water where the current was strong. The other youth drowned. Jeffrey reached the bank, and David swam to a snag 20 feet from it. While David was holding to the snag, his trousers descended to his ankles, hobbling his legs. He called for help. Jeffrey removed his jacket and ran on the bank to opposite David, who then lost his hold and was swept downstream to where an unstable mass of driftwood had piled up at the bank. David held to a log amid the debris 15 feet from the bank in water 10 feet deep and again called for help. Jeffrey ran to the driftwood and, because David said he could -not hold on any longer, did not delay to remove his boots. Although tired from his exertions and somewhat numbed from being in the water, Jeffrey took a prone position on the floating debris. As he crawled to where he could reach David, the driftwood dipped beneath the surface in places. Jeffrey took hold of David, who by, then was nearly exhausted, and pulled him onto the logs and matted brush. The driftwood sank lower in the water as Jeffrey wriggled backward on it, pulling David after him to the bank. Both David and Jeffrey were treated for exposure. They recovered. 50217-5462
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