Edwin C. MacPherson, 12, schoolboy, saved John K. Palting, 7, from suffocation, Bowie, Maryland, November 14, 1965. When he attempted to walk across a mud-filled slough six feet deep alongside a creek, John started to sink. In mud to his knees and unable to move his feet, he called for help as he slowly sank deeper. Edwin and his younger brother were attracted. After sending his brother for help, Edwin walked into the slough and was in mud to the middle of his thighs by the time he reached John, who had sunk to his shoulders. Edwin took hold of John and raised him six inches. The effort caused Edwin to sink into the mud to his waist. A man then arrived with a seven-foot board and placed it atop the mud to within a foot of Edwin, who continued to support John. Edwin pushed John to the board and boosted him onto it. John crawled along the board and was aided to the bank. By holding the board and rocking his body back and forth Edwin freed his legs. He waded alongside the board, holding to it, and then was aided from the mud.
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