John W. Vaughn saved Arlene V. Drake and Robert A. Seeley from drowning, Hammonton, New Jersey, December 31, 1939. Arlene, 12, and Robert, 11, broke through ice on Hammonton Lake into water 16 feet deep 120 feet from the bank. Vaughn, 18, schoolboy, pushed a sled toward the hole and lay upon it, and six feet from the hole it broke through and sank. Breaking a channel with his chest and arms, Vaughn swam to the hole and gave Arlene a hard push; and she got hold of a plank that had been shoved to her. Swimming a few strokes to Robert, Vaughn raised his head above the surface. Robert tried to get hold of Vaughn, who held him at arm’s length. Pushing Robert to the edge of the ice, Vaughn tried to push him onto it and tried to climb out; but the edge broke. He then trod water, supporting Robert, while Arlene was pulled out by means of a board. The board then was extended to Robert, and he was pulled onto safe ice. Without aid Vaughn sprang upon the ice and skated to the bank. 38159-3148
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