Robert S. Wilson, 45, sales manager, saved Dennis M. Coy, 12, from drowning, Patchogue, New York, August 11, 1964. While wading in the Atlantic Ocean, Dennis was caught by an undertow and carried seaward. A very poor swimmer, he was unable to move shoreward and rapidly lost strength. Wilson, who had been swimming farther out and was returning to the beach, saw Dennis bobbing up and down while calling for help. Wilson reached Dennis 100 feet from shore in water 12 feet deep. Dennis grasped the arm of Wilson, who broke free. Although tired from his earlier swimming, Wilson took hold of Dennis and towed him 10 feet toward shore. A large wave broke over them and separated them. From behind Dennis, Wilson then moved him gradually shoreward by intermittent thrusts. By the time he had pushed Dennis 40 feet, Wilson was very fatigued. He secured footing 50 feet from shore and waded with Dennis to the beach, where both collapsed. They recovered.
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