Kingsley G. Moore saved Sheryn L. Gotelli from drowning, Pacifica, California, April 14, 1962. In rough surf in the Pacific Ocean Sheryn, 15, was submerged briefly by a breaker and then carried away from shore by a strong undercurrent. A serviceman with much effort swam partway to her, but by then nearly was exhausted and had to return to the beach. When Moore, 56, teacher, arrived, Sheryn was 480 feet from shore in breakers six feet high and still drifting seaward. Noting that no one on the beach was preparing to help, Moore undressed to his underwear and tennis shoes and entered the surf, although he had not swum for eight years. A large breaker submerged him and forced him to return to the beach, where he obtained a cylindrical buoy 40 inches long with a 10-foot rope attached. In the surf breakers submerged him again and then entangled the rope about his legs. Moore freed his legs and held the buoy against his chest, which allowed him to swim only dog-fashion. Aided by the undercurrent, he paddled toward Sheryn in the cold water. With difficulty he progressed through the breakers and into swells six to eight feet high. He then saw Sheryn 150 feet from him. After losing the buoy temporarily when submerged briefly, Moore clamped it more firmly against his chest. The current forced Moore to 50 feet beyond Sheryn as he continued swimming, but he made his way back and reached her 750 feet from shore. Sheryn extended her arms over the buoy, and Moore moved behind her. Reaching over her shoulders, he grasped the buoy and held her against it. As Moore and Sheryn clung to the buoy and sought to swim by working their legs, a helicopter arrived. It lowered a metal basket, which Moore grasped when a swell thrust him upward. Sheryn was hoisted into the helicopter in the basket, as was Moore who had been in the water about 35 minutes. Both were treated at a hospital and recovered.
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