James D. Holt, 13, schoolboy, saved John H. Hosey and Michael J. Papke, 14 and 11, respectively, from drowning, Edinboro, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1962. John swam with Michael, who could not swim, toward a makeshift raft 50 feet from the bank of the Edinboro Lake Outlet. Thirty feet from the bank Michael grasped John around the neck and began kicking, his struggles causing both to be submerged in water 12 feet deep. James saw John floating just under the surface near where Michael was thrashing wildly to keep from being submerged. James swam 15 feet to John, who outweighed him by 25 pounds, and drew him to the surface. He towed John to the raft, where another boy aided him onto it. James swam 20 feet to near Michael, who still was flailing. Submerging, James held Michael’s legs to help support him. Michael grasped James tightly around the neck, and both boys were submerged. James freed himself with great difficulty and, after surfacing briefly for air, took hold of Michael from behind. He surfaced with him and towed him 15 feet to the raft. James held Michael against the raft as John and the other boy pushed it to the bank.
46864 – 4763
46864-4763