William D. Zydiak saved Patricia E. and Janet M. Davis from drowning, Gulf Shores, Alabama, September 6, 1965. Patricia, 8, and Janet, 10, both poor swimmers, were floating on an inflated inner tube at a beach on the Gulf of Mexico and were carried by currents into deep water. They fell from the tube, which quickly was swept away, and screamed for help while striving to remain afloat. Zydiak, 47, realtor, ran several hundred feet to the beach opposite the girls, who were being carried farther from shore. Zydiak waded 90 feet through breakers generally three feet high. He then swam rapidly 70 feet to Janet. Noting that Patricia was submerging, Zydiak swam 20 feet farther to her. With great effort because of a strong undertow, he towed Patricia back to Janet. He crossed the wrists of Janet and Patricia and held both of them tightly with one hand. Zydiak started to tow both girls shoreward but made little headway. His breathing became painful, and he felt himself tiring. He made very slow progress but succeeded in towing the girls 60 feet shoreward. Zydiak found footing 100 feet from the beach and waded to shore with Janet and Patricia. Zydiak dropped to the beach, gasping for breath. He and the girls recovered. 49023-5208
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