Melvin C. Dunlap helped to save David W. Woodard from drowning, Oak Hill, North Carolina, June 28, 1969. David, 13, was floating on a lake on an inflated raft when it collapsed 350 feet from shore. Unable to swim, he floundered in the deep water. Dunlap, 40, truck driver, swam to David, who then was submerged and unconscious. After Dunlap brought him to the surface and forced water from him, David regained consciousness. Dunlap began towing David, who struggled with him and caused him to go under briefly. By the time he had calmed David, Dunlap was fatigued. He called for assistance with David. Two men started to swim to them. One lost consciousness 100 feet from shore. The other, with an inner tube that had been thrown to him, supported the unconscious man, and Dunlap reached them after towing David 250 feet. A third man also arrived to give assistance, but when they all reached shore, the unconscious man could not be revived.
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