Michael Borodkin

Michael Borodkin, 47, supervisor of park operations, saved Anthony F. Norris, 30, garage attendant, and Loretta M. Norris, 24, from drowning, Fort Tilden, New York, September 8, 1952. A cabin cruiser in which Norris and his wife were riding in the Atlantic Ocean was swamped by high waves 2,000 feet from shore. They donned life jackets and entered the water, and Norris hooked his jacket to that of Mrs. Norris, who could not swim. They drifted two miles in a tidal current, Norris towing his wife within 900 feet of shore. Borodkin, who had not swum for 18 years, was attracted and, running 750 feet to the shore, disrobed to his underwear and plunged into the water. He crossed an area of rough surf extending 150 feet from shore and continued through whitecapped waves 10 feet high. Borodkin suffered a severe leg cramp that lasted five minutes but continued swimming. After swimming 1,200 feet in 20 minutes, he reached the Norrises. Mrs. Norris almost was exhausted, and Norris was tired. Borodkin towed them with effort to wadable water 10 feet from shore. The Norrises were asisted to shore by others, and both recovered. Borodkin was chilled and extremely tired and suffered a double hernia as a resuIt of his exertions.