Robert T. Cleary, 34, telephone repairman, helped to save Luigi Gallaro, 28, fisherman, and four others from drowning, Fort Bragg, California, September 2, 1956. Gallaro, Salvatore Sammartino, Theodore Breyer, Luigi Liberati, and Carlo Alioto were aboard a fishing trawler 80 feet long which struck a submerged reef in the Pacific Ocean 400 feet from shore and began to break up as it was pounded by four-foot breakers. Gallaro and Sammartino swam 100 feet to the third of three partially submerged reefs, which were located at intervals for 300 feet from shore and were covered with sharp barnacles. Nearly exhausted they called for help. With others who had been attracted, Cleary and James E. Hartman waded 120 feet from shore to the first reef, where they removed their jackets and shirts. While the others held one end of a rope 200 feet long, Cleary and Hartman swam with the other end 60 feet to the second reef and thence 80 feet through waves four feet high to the third reef. Water was as much as 10 feet deep between the reefs, which were covered by two feet of water with each wave, and debris was being carried toward shore. Large submerged rocks were between the reefs. Leaving the rope tied to a rock, Cleary and Hartman made their way 125 feet along the reef to Gallaro and Sammartino and aided each to the rope, which they then tied to Gallaro. After swimming back across the channel, Cleary drew Gallaro to the second reef, from where he was pulled to safety by the others. Cleary returned to the third reef, and the same procedure was used with Sammartino, whose bare feet had been severely cut by barnacles. Cleary and Hartman then made their way to Breyer, who was within six feet of the end of the reef, and aided him to the rope. By that time William A. Stahlberg had joined those on the first reef and had tied 100-foot rope to the original line. Hartman remained on the third reef and Cleary on the second as Breyer was drawn to safety. Stahlberg, who was wearing a life jacket, became so alarmed for the safety of the other men because of the rising tide that despite a heavy cold he swam to the third reef to speed operations. Meanwhile Liberati, whose bare feet were badly cut, and Alioto, who was unconscious, had been washed from the wreckage to near the third reef. Stahlberg and Hartman made their way to the two men and carried each to the rope. After Liberati had been drawn to safety, Stahlberg put his life jacket on Alioto, who had told them that there were no other men aboard the boat, and swam to the second reef. Alioto and then Hartman, who was very tired, were drawn across the channel. Cleary, Stahlberg, and Hartman swam alongside as Alioto was pulled to the first reef, from where all waded ashore. The entire act had taken 90 minutes. All of the rescued men sustained cuts and bruises, while Breyer and Alioto also suffered from shock, and Liberati sustained a broken shoulder. Cleary was cold and greatly fatigued. All recovered. 44046-4141
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