Linda L. Gilpin saved Michael C. Mozingo from drowning, Estabutchie, Mississippi, June 6, 1964. When he and his father attempted to swim across the Leaf River fully clothed, Michael, 9, played out at midstream 70 feet from the banks in water eight feet deep. His father aided Michael, who grasped him around the neck and caused both to be submerged briefly. Impeded by their heavy boots, they again sank briefly, became separated, and shouted for help as the current carried them downstream. On the bank Miss Gilpin, 20, office clerk, called to a young man who was a good swimmer to help the father, saying she would aid Michael. They entered the water, and Miss Gilpin swam 60 feet to Michael, who was flailing wildly. Urging him to be calm, she took hold of him and began towing him toward the opposite bank but tired rapidly. Ten feet from the bank she tried without success to secure footing. With extrerme effort Miss Gilpin towed Michael the rest of the way and was exhausted when she reached the bank. Meanwhile the young man had swum to the father, who struggled with him and caused them to be submerged briefly. The young man tried to tow the father but was too fatigued to make any progress across the current, which carried them downstream. The father then slipped from his grasp and sank. Failing to find the father in the muddy water, the young man swam to the bank with effort. Finding that the father had reappeared, he thrust a log into the river and swam to it. The father sank again and remained submerged. The young man returned to the bank. Rescue crews later recovered the body of the father.
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