Robert Vasilieff saved George C. Wagner, Jr., and Dawn Messner from drowning, Williamstown, New Jersey, February 7, 1981. Dawn, 5, broke through ice on Victory Lake and became trapped under the ice. Wagner, 35, went to help her, but he broke through the ice and could not climb back out. Vasilieff, 46, automobile restorer, was crossing the ice toward Dawn when he too broke through. Noticing Wagner’s struggling, Vasilieff broke a 20-foot path through the ice to him and assisted Wagner in climbing out of the water. He then continued breaking a path 10 feet toward Dawn. Near her, Vasilieff submerged briefly under the solid ice, seized Dawn, took her to the surface, and revived her. He then took Dawn back to the bank.
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