Robert N. Bishop, Sr., saved Ramona C. Gandy and Donna J. Gantner from drowning, Summer Haven, Florida, July 12, 1964. While wading in shallow water on a submerged shelf along the bank of the Matanza Inlet, Ramona and Donna, each 7 years old, stepped off the edge into water over their depth and were submerged briefly. Unable to swim, they clung to each other and called for help as the strong current carried them away from the bank and downstream toward a bridge from which Bishop, 39, service station operator, and others were fishing. Bishop, who had removed his shoes and shirt, climbed onto the railing and dived into the water 20 feet below. He swam 15 feet underwater and surfaced within eight feet of the drifting girls, who were 20 feet from the bank in water 20 feet deep. Bishop swam to the girls, encircled both with one arm, and began towing them diagonally across the strong current toward the bank. His efforts tired him rapidly, and he swallowed water. After towing the girls a total of 30 feet, he reached the bank nearly exhausted.
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