Daniel M. Pace, 13, schoolboy, attempted to save James O. Smith, 13, from drowning, Detroit, Michigan, July 15, 1959. James, who could not swim, waded into the Detroit River, stepped into deep water in a dredged channel, and began to flounder 120 feet from the bank, Daniel, who was an unskilled swimmer, witnessed the accident from the bank and tried to attract the attention of men aboard a ferry steamer at a nearby pier. Failing to do so, he undressed to his undershorts and ran 130 feet to the end of the pier. From earthen fill alongside the pier Daniel waded 10 feet and swam a like distance to James, who was flailing his arms wildly and submerging intermittently in water 29 feet deep. James grasped the shoulders of Daniel, who was smaller than he, and pushed him beneath the surface, causing him to swallow water. Daniel broke free, surfaced, and then with both hands pulled James upward until his head was out of water. As James sank again, Daniel retained his hold and was drawn downward until his nose was submerged. Unable to lift James or to breathe, Daniel held to James as long as he could before releasing his hold and returning to the surface alone. Daniel submerged his head several times but could not find James in the muddy water. By then men on the ship had been attracted, and one of them threw Daniel a ring life preserver by which he was aided onto the deck. The body of James was recovered later. Daniel recovered in two days. 44782-4324
44782 – 4324
44782-4324