Richard H. Russell, 46, civil engineer, saved Rolla E., 69, and Blanche G. Pinaire, 60, from drowning, Milltown, Indiana, September 13, 1966. When Mrs. Pinaire lost control of the sedan in which she and her husband were riding, the vehicle plunged from the highway into Blue River and began to sink in water eight feet deep 25 feet from the bank. The Pinaires could not swim. Pinaire managed to climb out, but his wife was trapped by water entering the automobile as it sank to the bottom. Both lost consciousness. Removing only his shoes, Russell dived and swam 25 feet to where he had seen Pinaire disappear in the muddy water. Russell dived to four feet underwater, found Pinaire, and brought him to the surface. A man who had a life preserver with a line attached threw it to Russell and then pulled him and Pinaire to the bank. Pinaire revived and said his wife was in the sedan. Russell swam to the automobile. He dived, opened the front door, and swam into the front compartment, but could not find Mrs. Pinaire. After surfacing for air, Russell opened the rear door and searched that compartment without success. He surfaced briefly and then re-entered the rear compartment, where he found Mrs. Pinaire floating near the top. After once more surfacing for air, Russell returned to the compartment, drew Mrs. Pinaire out of the sedan, and took her to the surface. Others had joined the man with the life preserver, which again was thrown to Russell. He and Mrs. Pinaire were pulled to the bank. Mrs. Pinaire and her husband recovered.
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