James L. McNeil – Carnegie Hero Fund Commission

James L. McNeil, 16, shipfitter helper, died attempting to save H. Leopold Boardman, 15, salesman, from drowning, Bath, Maine, August 25, 1918. While bathing in the Kennebec River near a wharf, Leopold slid into deep water and was swept away from the wharf by the tide current, which was flowing 8 m.p.h. James waded to the deep water, swam eight feet to Leopold, and extended a hand to him. Leopold took hold of James’s wrist and then put both arms around his neck, and after drifting 30 feet, both sank and were drowned.