John M. Penta, Jr., saved Leonard W. Meckalavange, Jr., and Michael Zanowicz from drowning, Long Branch, New Jersey, June 5, 1976. Leonard and Michael, each 10, were wading in the Atlantic Ocean and became caught in an undercurrent. Penta, 25, college student, entered the rough surf and swam to Leonard, who then was in deep water 60 feet from shore. Towing Leonard, Penta continued swimming through the oncoming waves to Michael, who was 90 feet from the beach. When he tried to tow the two boys shoreward, Penta found the undercurrent moving them farther out. He was cold and fatigued by the time they had been carried to an area where he could make progress toward shore. Aided by the waves, Penta towed Leonard and Michael to wadable water.
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