John Lynn Baker died attempting to save Ronald D. Morse from drowning, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, November 3, 1968. High school students Ronald, 16, and John, 17, and two other youths were sailing on the Potomac River; and when wind tilted the craft, Ronald went over the side and put his weight on a line attached to the mast. The boat was righted, but the line broke; and Ronald fell into the cold water. The youth at the tiller moved the boat in circles but could not get near enough to Ronald to aid him. As the boat again was moving away, John dived overboard and swam 18 feet to Ronald, who was treading water weakly. They held to each other while the craft’s auxiliary motor was being started. The boat passed within three feet of Ronald and John, who still were clinging to each other and appeared very distressed. Before the craft could be brought back to them, both sank and drowned.
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