Leonard Keith Stewart, 12, schoolboy, attempted to save Robert E. Gannon, 7, and saved Adel C. Gannon, 35, from drowning, Cambria, California, August 30, 1958. When Robert, who could not swim, ran into the surf of the Pacific Ocean at San Simeon Beach to retrieve his cap, he was submerged by a breaker and carried away from shore by a strong undercurrent. Mrs. Gannon, a poor swimmer, went to the aid of her son and was submerged several times by breakers about five feet high as she swam toward Robert. Ninety feet from shore in water 10 feet deep between the waves, she could make no further progress because of the severe conditions and began flailing her arms wildly in an effort to remain at the surface. Leonard, who had been warned about the dangerous currents in the area, entered the water fully clothed and began swimming, after Robert. Knifing through the breakers, he swam with effort to 95 feet from shore. Unable to see Robert, Leonard went to the aid of Mrs. Gannon, who was nearly hysterical. Leonard swam to Mrs. Gannon and, in a series of actions timed with the breakers, thrust her toward shore, moving her about 10 feet at a time. Twenty feet from the beach they secured footing but were submerged by a large breaker which rolled them shoreward. Both then crawled to the beach. Skin divers failed to locate Robert, whose body was found a week later. 44874-4356
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