Ronnie Dell Freeman saved Ronnie S. Gilbert, and attempted to save Danny G. Isenburg from drowning, Trent, Texas, January 29, 1961. Ronnie, 9, and Danny, 11, neither of whom could swim, broke through the ice on a pond and floundered in water eight to ten feet deep 55 feet from the bank. They then secured holds on the ice at the edge of the hole, which was eight feet in diameter. Five adults were attracted but since none of them could swim Freeman, 24, oilfield worker, and his father were summoned. Freeman removed his jacket and shoes, moved cautiously onto the ice, and broke through three feet from the bank. Breaking a path in the ice ahead of him with difficulty, Freeman waded and swam to within 10 feet of Danny and Ronnie, who still held to the ice. By then a rope had been obtained. One end was thrown to Freeman, who tossed it to Danny and Ronnie. They grasped it, and persons on the bank then began pulling. Danny and Ronnie were drawn to within 35 feet of the bank, widening the path in the ice. Both boys then lost their hold on the rope and were submerged briefly in water six feet deep. Freeman swam 10 feet to Danny and Ronnie. They grasped him, and all were submerged. The boys released their holds on Freeman, who surfaced. He felt about, grasped Ronnie, and drew him to the surface. Holding Ronnie who struggled with him, Freeman probed the water for Danny, but could not find him. The rope again was thrown. Freeman who by then was becoming numb, grasped it and, still holding Ronnie, was drawn to the bank. Firemen later recovered the body of Danny.
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