Willis J. Capo saved Rudolph C. Crews and helped attempt to save Walter J. Boatright from drowning, South Ponte Vedra, Florida, October 26, 1958. When Boatright, 28, and nine other men and boys attempted to set a large fishing seine in the rough surf at a beach along the Atlantic Ocean, they became caught in a very strong undercurrent and were carried away from shore. Two of the men swam back to the beach, and an unidentified man rescued five of the other victims. Boatright swam to one of the remaining victims to aid him, as did that victim’s father, Crews, 36, but they were carried farther out. Three men launched a 14-foot motorboat from the beach, reached them at a point about 900 feet out, and pulled them aboard. The boat soon capsized, about 800 feet from shore. Capo, 23, deputy sheriff, and another man witnessed the boat accident from the beach. They entered the water and swam to the victims, reaching them at a point about 650 feet from shore. Capo took hold of Crews and swam slowly toward the beach, but at a point about 100 feet from shore they encountered a strong undercurrent. Capo floated, maintaining his hold on Crews, and allowed the breakers to carry them to the beach. The others fought the current but made no headway. Capo reentered the water and swam to where two other rescuers were supporting Boatright, and for 10 minutes the three men tried unsuccessfully to move him toward the beach. A responding Navy helicopter lowered a cable sling and dragged the four men to shore. Boatright could not be revived. All of the others survived. 44832-4335
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44832-4335