Martin A. Benfield helped to save Derral W. and Kerry M. Laster from drowning, Surfside Beach, South Carolina, June 14, 1988. Derral, 9, and his brother, Kerry, 11, were in the Atlantic Ocean not far from the beach when a current carried them into water over their heads. They called for help. On the beach nearby, Benfield, 27, hairstylist, was alerted; he waded and swam to the boys. Holding onto one of the boys with the other clinging to him, Benfield swam toward shore. En route, he submerged several times and swallowed water. When they were at a point near shore, others assisted Derral and Kerry from the water. Benfield, who was semi-conscious by then, also required assistance. He was hospitalized overnight for nearly drowning, and he recovered.
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