Paul J. Philpott attempted to save William A. Hollingsworth from drowning, Lynn, Massachusetts, February 26, 1960. William, 12, schholboy, who was atop a stairway alongside a vertical seawall on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, was swept into the water by a huge breaker and then intermittently dashed against the stone wall by high waves. Removing only his hat and coat, Philpott, 45, civil engineer, entered the rough surf and swam 10 feet to William, who then was in deep water. Philpott placed one arm around William; and both tried to swim to the stairs but could make no headway as the breakers swept them back and forth. Each time they struck the wall, Philpott shielded William from the impact. When they were 35 feet from the stairs, a man threw one end of an electric extension cord to them. William and Philpott clung to the cord and were drawn along the wall to near the top of the stairs. Philpott continuing to shield William each time the breakers thrust them against the wall. One of the men pulling on the cord moved onto the stairs and was swept into the water but maintained his hold on the cord. William lost his hold, was swept seaward, and drowned. Philpott and the other man were pulled from the water. William’s body was recovered the next day. Philpott, who had swallowed much water, was badly bruised and nearly exhausted. He was hospitalized and recovered in three weeks. 45029-4388
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45029-4388