Nelson W. Babcock, 28, ranch-hand, saved Helen I. Satree and Myrtle J. Petersen, 19 and 38, respectively, from drowning, La Roche, South Dakota, July 17, 1937. While wading in a pond and supporting Miss Satree, who was making swimming strokes, Mrs. Petersen got beyond her depth; and both were briefly submerged 40 feet from the bank. Miss Satree was frantic and grabbed Mrs. Petersen. Babcock swam 35 feet to them. In a struggle that followed, Miss Satree grasped Babcock and Mrs. Petersen around the neck; and the three were briefly submerged and moved 20 feet farther from the bank. All were again submerged, and Babcock freed himself and rose. Swimming a few feet to Miss Satree and Mrs. Petersen, who had become separated, Babcock swam and pushed them 10 feet toward the bank. Mrs. Petersen then swam unaided to wadable water. Babcock slowly and with effort swam and pushed Miss Satree 30 feet farther; and another man, who waded to them, took Miss Satree to the bank. Babcock waded to the bank.
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