Jacquelyn K. Hardin, 16, schoolgirl, saved Jimmy M. Pippenger, 24, airman, U.S.A.F., from drowning, Melbourne Beach, Florida, January 22, 1967. When their motorboat capsized in Sebastian Inlet, Pippenger and another airman clung to the craft as current carried it through an area of turbulent water and into the Atlantic Ocean, where the other man then swam to the beach. Deciding to ride out the waves, Pippenger was 200 feet from shore when a large wave separated him from the boat. He tried to swim toward the beach, but the current carried him farther seaward. Miss Hardin entered the water with a fiberglass surfboard. Paddling with her arms, she proceeded through waves five to six feet high and reached Pippenger 600 feet from shore. Nearly exhausted, he grasped the surfboard and held to it. Miss Hardin made her way around the end of the board to opposite him. She aided Pippenger, who outweighed her by 70 pounds, onto the surfboard. After turning the board, Miss Hardin pushed it ahead of her as she swam shoreward by kicking. Some waves broke over them, and several times they almost lost their holds. Miss Hardin pushed the board to within 15 feet of the beach. Others then aided Pippenger from the water as Miss Hardin followed.
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