Frank F. Mayo saved Eleanor M. and Linda R. Sleeper, Florence S. Smith, and Dorothy B. Hamilton, from drowning, Surf City, New Jersey,September 14, 1944. During a hurricane when waters of the Atlantic Ocean were sweeping over Long Beach Island, Mrs. Sleeper, 35, carried Linda, 4, and with her 11-year-old son waded from a cottage to seek safety at a hotel. Becoming tired, Mrs. Sleeper stopped alongside a cottage; but her son with difficulty waded to the hotel for help. Mayo, 40, hotel proprietor, who could scarcely swim, removed his shoes and shirt and waded in water 30 inches deep along the hotel to a street corner. Heavy rain was falling, and wind having a velocity of 80 m.p.h. was blowing at his back. In crossing a side street in water more than three feet deep, he waded with great difficulty across a strong current that flowed at right angle to the wind; and he lost his footing momentarily, was submerged, and then reached the sidewalk. He waded 200 feet farther to the cottage. Unknown to Mayo, two other men, who were swimmers, had followed him a short distance but because of severe conditions returned to the hotel. Meanwhile Miss Smith, 38, and Mrs. Hamilton, 36, had started to wade to the hotel but stopped at the cottage. Mayo broke glass in the door and unlocked it. He took Linda and aided Mrs. Sleeper and the others to enter. He then waded back to the hotel with difficulty to reassure Mrs. Sleeper’s son and others. An hour later, when the wind had moderated and the water was less in depth, he waded across a strong current to the cottage; and with the women ahead of him, he carried Linda and waded to the hotel. He was much fatigued. 40344-3395
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40344-3395