Larry Robert Balch helped to save Jay Hammond and Ture Nordstrom from drowning, Acequia, Idaho, November 15, 1975. When a canoe swamped in Lake Walcott, Hammond, 21, and Nordstrom, 22, clung to the craft in the cold water. Balch, 28, Navy petty officer and another man launched another canoe. They paddled to the swamped craft, which then was about 750 feet from the bank. Hammond and Nordstrom held to the canoe as Balch and the other man paddled back toward the bank. The wind increased, creating small waves. With difficulty the canoe was moved to wadable water. By then Balch and the other man were very fatigued and Hammond, who had lost consciousness, was being held to the canoe by Nordstrom. Others waded to them and aided all to the bank. Hammond died enroute to the hospital.
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