Louis S. Brown saved Salvatore P. Iovino from drowning, Wantagh, New York, November 9, 1963. When their motorboat capsized in the Atlantic Ocean 300 feet from shore and drifted seaward, Iovino, 39, cement mason, and another man swam toward the beach but played out and called for help. Removing all of his attire except his underwear and trousers, Brown, 37, schoolteacher, waded and swam 150 feet through breakers as much as six feet high. He continued 50 feet farther through choppy swells and reached Iovino, who was floating inert. Brown lifted Iovino’s head out of the water but could not see the other man, who had sunk and drowned. Swimming with his left arm because his right was slightly impaired as a result of an accident, Brown towed Iovino toward shore, swallowing some water. Feeling the effects of the cold water and tiring rapidly, Brown continued towing Iovino, who was heavier than he, against the tidal current and undertow. By the time he had towed Iovino 125 feet, Brown’s arms and legs were aching. Carried to within 25 feet of shore by a breaker, Brown moved Iovino 10 feet farther. A man waded 15 feet to Brown and helped him to drag Iovino to the beach. Iovino recovered.
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