John Charles Ott helped to save Teresa E. Williams from drowning, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, July 18, 1970. Teresa, 11, who could not swim, was frolicking in wadable water in the Atlantic Ocean when she was caught by a rip current and carried seaward. She called for help. A man swam to Teresa, towed her to within 50 feet of the beach, and handed her to Ott, 29, traffic specialist, who had noted the situation and had entered the water to assist in the rescue. Teresa grasped Ott around the neck, impeding his breathing; and they were carried seaward by the current. Ott moved Teresa to his back and, his breathing less hampered with her in that position, towed her back to 50 feet from shore. He then changed course and towed Teresa to safety at a nearby breakwater.
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