Norberto Barcena saved Elsa O. McBain from drowning, Mesilla Park, New Mexico, August 11, 1940. While wading in the Rio Grande River, Elsa, 14, stepped into water six and a half feet deep, was submerged twice, and drifted in a current of two m.p.h. to a point 20 feet from an island. Norberto, 16, schoolboy, who was a poor swimmer, waded from the island and then swam 10 feet to Elsa and took hold of her. Elsa, who was dazed, broke his hold, got behind him, and threw her arms and legs around him. They were submerged. Under the surface Norberto broke the hold of her arms and got his head above the surface. He then broke her leg holds, but she threw her arms around his waist. They drifted, Norberto’s head bobbing under the surface several times; and he called for help and tried to swim toward the island. After they had drifted 95 feet, Norberto got footing in water chest-deep; and aided by a youth, he dragged Elsa to the island. She revived. Norberto was very tired, weak, and nauseated. 38519-3202
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