Joseph C. Taylor saved Virgil A. and Clifford Griffin and attempted to save Aden G. Griffin from drowning, Wichita, Kansas, July 20, 1933. While wading in the Little Arkansas River, Virgil, 13, got into distress and called for help at a point 30 feet from the bank. Clifford, 16, swam to a point near him and then got into difficulty. Fully clothed, Taylor, 21, salesman, who was a poor swimmer and had an ear ailment, swam 20 feet to the boys and raised Virgil, who then was slightly submerged. Holding Virgil, Taylor swam a stroke or two to Clifford and shoved him toward the bank. He again swam to Clifford and gave him a push, and Clifford then swam to wadable water. Taylor also swam to wadable water, and Virgil waded to the bank. In the meantime Aden Griffin, 57, laborer, got into distress. Although tired, Taylor swam 25 feet to Griffin, who vainly tried to grasp him. Taylor repeatedly swam a stroke or two to Griffin and pushed him toward the bank. He then became dazed and sank. Griffin also sank. Taylor rose, drifted helplessly for 40 feet in a current, and then got hold of the end of a rope that was thrown to him by a man in wadable water. He was drawn to wadable water and was carried to the bank. He then was unconscious but was revived. Griffin was drowned.
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