Russell P. Smith, Jr., saved Georgiana Krisak, Leon Sypniewski, and Thomas Krisak, from drowning, Trenton, New Jersey, October 12, 1942. Thomas, 11, and Georgiana, 12, were on a small raft in a pond when their younger brother and Leon, 12, fell from a larger raft into water six feet deep 50 feet from the bank. Thomas poled his raft to his brother, who pulled him into the water, and Georgiana fell into the water. The rafts were 10 feet apart. Russell, 12, schoolboy, removed his coat and shoes, waded from the bank, swam 40 feet to Georgiana, and aided her onto the larger raft. He then swam seven feet to Leon, who took hold of him and pushed him under the surface. Russell broke Leon’s hold, rose to the surface, swam towing Leon to the smaller raft, and aided him onto it. He then swam seven feet to Thomas, who was semiconscious, towed him to the smaller raft, and aided him onto it. Russell was fatigued, and he climbed onto the raft and poled it to the bank. He summoned men, who swam to the larger raft and towed it and Georgiana to the bank. Thomas’s brother was drowned. 39676-3302
39676 – 3302
39676-3302