Domenic R. Lucca helped to save Frank V. DeMatteo, Jr., from drowning, Green Bank, New Jersey, July 12, 1962. While swimming in Bel Haven Lake, Frank, 15, schoolboy, became exhausted 120 feet from shore in water seven feet deep. Flailing wildly, he called to Domenic, 15, schoolboy, who swam eight feet and took hold of him. After Frank’s struggles twice had forced him beneath the surface briefly, Domenic called to his sister, Diana M. Lucca, who was on shore. While Miss Lucca was swimming to them, Frank again submerged Domenic who struck him on the jaw but could not calm him. Miss Lucca grasped Frank from behind and pulled him backward. He kept his hold on causing him to be submerged again. Releasing Domenic, who surfaced, Frank grasped Miss Lucca and forced her under briefly. From shore Frank T. DiMatteo entered the water fully clad except for shoes. Although he had only limited use of one arm because of a war wound, he swam slowly toward where Frank still was struggling with both Domenic and Miss Lucca, forcing each alternately beneath the surface a number of times. Domenic’s mother pushed a rowboat, which had no oars, ahead of her as she swam to the three young people. Soon afterward she returned to shore. While Bonanata still was swimming toward them, Domenic and Miss Lucca with difficulty lifted Frank, who by then had lost consciousness into the boat as they climbed into it. Domenic was nearly exhausted. Miss Lucca was badly winded but by paddling with her hands turned the craft toward shore, unaware that Bonanata meanwhile had disappeared. A man in a canoe reached the rowboat, told Miss Lucca about Bonanata, and gave her a paddle. Miss Lucca then saw Bonanata’s wallet rise to the surface. She made two dives to the bottom of the lake but could not find him. Nearly exhausted, Miss Lucca returned to shore. Firemen and police arrived, and the body of Bonanata was recovered. Frank was revived.
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