John E. Eastman, Jr., helped to save Steven A. Martin from drowning, West Brookfield, Massachusetts, April 17, 1968. Steven, 6, who could not swim, entered a boat moored at the bank of a lake. When the craft was untied, it began drifting. Two girls reported the situation to John, 15, schoolboy, and Winthrop V. Gay, both of whom ran toward the take. Reaching the water ahead of Gay, John removed part of his clothing. Steven then jumped out of the drifting boat. John waded and swam a 150 fifty feet to Steven, reaching him just as he sank in water 15 feet deep. By diving twice, John brought Steven to the surface. Tired, partly winded, and beginning to feel numb from the cold water, John called for assistance with Steven. Gay removed part of his attire and then waded and swam a 150 feet to where John was keeping Steven’s head above water. Taking hold of Steven, Gay began swimming back to the bank with him. John followed at times holding to Steven briefly as Gay towed him 100 feet. They then waded the rest of the way to the bank.
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