Robert L. Reddington, 36, jail correctional officer, saved Catherine T. Yocius, 10, and Robert R. Wagner, 11, from drowning, Bay Head, New Jersey, July 16, 1966. While wading in surf in the Atlantic Ocean, Catherine and Robert were caught in an undertow, carried seaward, and submerged briefly by breakers three to four feet high. Reddington, who had just eaten lunch, heard the children’s grandmother pleading with persons on the beach to save them. Feeling that the lifeguards were too far down the beach to arrive in time, Reddington waded and swam 150 feet, reaching Catherine in swells beyond the breakers. Robert then was 30 feet away. Reddington towed Catherine 80 feet toward shore and was met by a lifeguard. While the guard took Catherine to the beach, Reddington swam to Robert, who was 190 feet from shore. Already tired and winded, Reddington towed Robert toward the beach with considerable effort. After swimming 85 feet with Robert, Reddington met another lifeguard who had a buoy with a rope attached to a reel on the beach. Persons on the beach pulled all three to shore.
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