Marvin L. Smith, Jr., saved George L. Black, Michele K. Brigham, and Martin J. Foley from drowning, Klamath, California, August 17, 1964. When their rowboat capsized in the Pacific Ocean 200 feet from shore, Black, 22; Miss Brigham, 17, and Foley, 17, were thrown into the water. The cold water numbed them as they clung to the overturned boat. From his 14-foot rowboat, Smith 27, land title examiner, witnessed the accident and rowed toward the overturned craft. Reaching rough water, he proceeded parallel to shore between breakers six to eight feet high, turning the craft to head into each wave as it approached. The boat shipped water. After rowing about 400 feet, Smith backed the rowboat against the overturned craft. Both boats rose and fell continually. Smith held his boat in position as Black climbed into the stern. Smith then moved to the foremost rowing seat to balance the boat better, and Miss Brigham and Foley were then pulled into the rowboat by Black. Smith moved his boat away and began to retrace his course. He had poor leverage from the forward rowing seat and, with four persons aboard, progress was slow. He had to turn the boat into the breakers repeatedly on the return trip. There was a total of seven inches of water in the rowboat by the time they reached safety.
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