Bruce C. Harkness saved Duane S. Caldwell from drowning, Waimanalo, Hawaii, January 27, 1969. Caldwell, 20, Air Force sergeant, a poor swimmer, was in heavy surf in the Pacific Ocean when he was knocked down by a breaker and then, out of control and most of the time submerged, was carried seaward by a very strong undertow. Harkness, 35, airline flight officer, entered the water and, knifing through the waves, swam to Caldwell who was 95 feet from shore in water five feet deep between breakers generally 15 feet high. By then Caldwell had lost consciousness and was face down in the water. As Harkness took hold of Caldwell, a breaker drove them to the bottom, where in places rocks protruded from the sand. Harkness maintained his hold on Caldwell and supported him at the surface as the waves, although driving them to the bottom about 10 times, slowly moved them to within 30 feet of shore. Others then aided Harkness in taking Caldwell to the beach. Caldwell recovered fully after hospitalization.
50773 – 5658
50773-5658