William Barker Brooks, 34, metallurgist, helped to save Ada Cross, 72, from drowning, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1945. Miss Cross dropped from a bridge into the Monongahela River and face down slowly drifted under the bridge in water 10.5 feet deep. Firemen arrived and lowered a rope to her, but she made no effort to take hold of it. Brooks, almost fully clothed, dived from a wharf and with difficulty swam to Miss Cross, who was 90 feet from the wharf, and took hold of her clothing. She was unconscious. Frank Poletz on the bridge observed that Brooks was tiring; and removing all clothing but his drawers, he jumped from the bridge 41 feet down to the water and swam 25 feet to Miss Cross. Turning her on her back, he swam towing her toward the wharf; and Brooks at the opposite side took hold of her chin and as he swam held her head above the water. After going 30 feet, Brooks became too tired to continue; and releasing his hold, he turned on his back to float. Alternately floating and swimming on his back, he went 40 feet and then was towed 20 feet to the wharf by a fireman who swam to him. He was exhausted but recovered. Miss Cross was towed to within 15 feet of the wharf by Poletz, and a fireman then swam and towed her to the wharf. Poletz swam to the wharf without aid. Miss Cross was revived. 40507-3429
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40507-3429