John H. St. Germain saved John J. Hallihan, Martin J. O’Brien, and Arthur P. O’Brien from drowning, Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, July 6, 1940. While St. Germain, 18, student, and the three men were riding in a motor-boat on Big Crawling Stone Lake, the boat sank at a point a half a mile from shore. Waves were two feet high, and the water was cold. St. Germain, who was almost fully clothed, swam towing Hallihan, 53, registration and education director,who held to a life-preserver, to shore. Removing his clothing except his trunks, St. Germain held to the life-preserver and swam three eighths of a mile to Martin J. O’Brien, 67, public administrator, who weighed more than 200 pounds. He then towed Martin to shore. Martin collapsed and could not be revived. Discarding the life-preserver, because it interfered with his swimming, St. Germain swam three eighths of a mile to Arthur P. O’Brien, 54, secretary, and towed him over the same course to shore. The acts required an hour and 20 minutes, and St. Germain was fatigued for 36 hours. 38490-3187
38490 – 3187
38490-3187