Richard Lucas Baird, Jr., saved William R. Alford from drowning, Dovesville, South Carolina, July 5, 1963. While swimming in a farm pond, Alford, 17, farm hand, suffered a cramp and called for help before being submerged briefly in water 11 feet deep 20 feet from the nearest bank. He sank again as Richard, 13, schoolboy, already somewhat tired from earlier swimming, entered the pond and swam to where bubbles were rising to the surface. Alford, who weighed twice as much as Richard, then surfaced. He grasped Richard so tightly that the latter could not move his arms. Both were submerged. Richard broke free with effort and returned to the surface. Because he was badly winded and choking, Richard with difficulty swam back to the bank. He took several deep breaths and then returned to the area where Alford still was submerged. Diving from the surface, Richard found Alford unconscious on the bottom. He grasped him by the hair and took him to the surface despite his greater weight. Although still winded, Richard towed Alford 20 feet to the bank and by then was fatigued. He pulled Alford onto the bank and applied
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