Sam W. Reed, 46, foreman, saved Peggy J. Lingle, 16, and Nila L. Boyd, 15, from drowning, Claysville, Ohio, July 12, 1959. Peggy and Nila lost their footing on the mud bottom of a pond and floundered into water 10 feet deep 12 feet from the nearest bank. Peggy, who was a very poor swimmer, Nila, a non-swimmer, were submerged several times and called for help. Reed ran 85 feet to the bank opposite the girls. Without delaying to remove any of his clothing, he waded and swam to them. As Reed took hold of Nila, who had again sunk beneath the surface, Peggy threw her arms around his neck, and all were submerged. Underwater, Nila clasped her arms around Reed’s chest. By kicking violently, Reed surfaced with the two girls, who together outweighed him by 90 pounds, still clinging to him. Reed inhaled deeply before all were submerged again as Nila wrapped her legs around Reed’s knees. Reed broke free and, with both girls still clinging to him, again returned to the surface. With almost no use of his arms and with his leg movements greatly impeded, Reed towed both girls seven feet toward the bank. He started to sink again but found footing, as did Peggy. She relaxed her hold on Reed as Nila, who was very weak, sank once more. Reed submerged and brought her back to the surface. Peggy, still holding to Reed for support, followed as he waded to the bank with Nila. Others arrived and aided them out of the pond. Nila, who was barely conscious and nearly exhausted, was hospitalized but recovered. 44793-4311
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44793-4311Obituary
Sam W. Reed, 60, of Campbell City, Fla., died on Oct. 14, 1973. A native of Winchester, Ky., he moved to Campbell City in 1971.
He was a veteran of World War II and held the Carnegie Medal for heroism after saving two teenagers from drowning. He attended the First Church of God in Kissimmee.
He was buried in Osceola Memory Gardens in Kissimmee, Fla.
(Edited from an obituary provided by a family member.)