Clarence W. Gwaltney, 39, personnel specialist, saved William G. Barbe, 10, from drowning, Salter Path, North Carolina, July 14, 1965. In Bogue Sound, William waded 200 feet from shore, stepped into deep water in a dredged area 300 feet in diameter, and sank. Gwaltney ran 200 feet, kicked off his shoes, and quickly waded to the hole. Breathing heavily, he entered the deep water and swam 50 feet to where William was floating inert beneath the surface. Already tired, Gwaltney submerged three feet and brought William to the surface. He towed him 40 feet to within 10 feet of William’s mother and two men, who were in wadable water at the edge of the hole. By then Gwaltney was greatly fatigued. The mother lunged into the deep water and grasped Gwaltney’s arm, causing them to be submerged briefly. Gwaltney, who had swallowed some water, broke free. Alternately pushing the mother and William, he moved them eight feet toward wadable water and by then was nearly exhausted. The two men joined hands and drew the mother out of the hole. Gwaltney pushed William to the mother, and both then were aided out of the deep water. William was revived.
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