James E. Hoff

James E. Hoff, 30, administrative assistant, saved M. Wayne, Jr., 6; W. David, 4, and Judy A. McHenry, 8, from drowning, Lone Oak, Texas, May 22, 1953. At night a motorboat in which the McHenry children, Hoff, his father, and others were riding in Greenville Club Lake capsized and sank in deep water 325 feet from the bank, all of the occupants being thrown into the water. Visibility was poor. Hoff rose and swam 10 feet to Wayne and David, who clung to each other floundering. He took hold of the boys with one band and swam six feet to Judy. As he obtained a hold on Judy and began treading water, she lunged at Hoff and seized him around the head. He lost his hold on Wayne and David and was submerged briefly, forcibly freeing himself from Judy and holding her at arm’s length. Submerging, he found the boys and brought them to a surface. Judy continued to struggle violently and submerged Hoff three more times. Altogether Hoff submerged himself four times to find Wayne and David and aid them to the surface, while maintaining a hold on Judy with difficulty. He swallowed much water. He supported the children for more than seven minutes and by kicking his feet moved to within eight feet of a partly submerged tree to which his father clung holding another boy. Judy ceased to struggle and became inert. Greatly exerting himself, Hoff clamped one arm around Judy while maintaining hold of the boys and with difficulty swam six feet toward the tree. The father grasped Hoff’s shirt and drew him and the children to the tree. Shortly afterward occupants of three other motorboats reached the scene. The children, Hoff, and his father were taken to the bank. Three other passengers of the capsized boat, who clung to the upper branches of adjacent sunken trees, also were aided to safety. Judy was revived. Hoff was nauseated and nearly was exhausted but recovered.