Keith M. Krumenacker saved Bonnie T. Biittner from drowning, Brookhaven, New York, July 20, 1964. While wading in rough surf in the Atlantic Ocean, Bonnie, 13, was caught in an undertow and carried steadily seaward. Noting the situation, Keith, 16, schoolboy, ran 150 feet to the water’s edge and entered the surf. He swam through a line of breakers five feet high 100 feet from the beach. Although aided somewhat by the current, he was beginning to tire by the time he reached Bonnie, who had been carried to 600 feet from shore. She was panicky and struggled. After calming her, Keith began towing her toward shore, swimming against the tidal current. He tired further as he swam with effort through waves four feet high and was nearly exhausted by the time he had towed Bonnie 500 feet to the breaker line. A large wave lifted them and carried them toward shore. Keith maintained his hold on Bonnie and, reaching wadable water, carried her to the beach.
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