John Girardeau Gardner helped to save Elizabeth L. Savage from drowning, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, June 15, 1947. While playing near John, 12, schoolboy, in rough surf in the Atlantic Ocean, Elizabeth, 8, drifted farther from shore with a strong undercurrent into water six feet deep and called out in alarm. John, who was a fair swimmer, waded five feet and swam 25 feet in waves three feet high to Elizabeth. Taking hold of one of her wrists, he attempted to tow her toward shore but made no progress. He then tried to touch bottom but could not; and when he rose to the surface, she placed her hands on his neck, and they were submerged. He brought her to the surface and holding her by an arm paddled, but she was twice submerged briefly, and they drifted 15 feet farther from shore. John’s father, who was a good swimmer, then waded from shore and swam to them, John releasing Elizabeth. John, who was tired, swam 35 feet and waded to shore; and his father rescued Elizabeth, who was exhausted and suffered chills. 41066-3548
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